Israeli forces have killed at least 15 Palestinians in reprisal attacks for the ambush killing of six Israeli soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks against Israeli troops since the Palestinian uprising began 17 months ago.

A militant group linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction - the Palestinian Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade - claimed responsibility for killing the soldiers at a West Bank military check point Tuesday.

In retaliation for the attack, Israeli forces launched air, sea and ground strikes on Palestinian targets in the West bank and Gaza Strip.

Four members of Mr. Arafat's elite Force-17 guards were killed in Gaza. Nine Palestinians, including six policemen, were killed in the West Bank town of Nablus, while two Palestinians were killed in Ramallah and in a nearby village.

The Israeli army said it has closed roads and banned Palestinians from traveling between cities and villages in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with key government ministers to discuss the continuing bloodshed. A statement from Mr. Sharon's office said the prime minister has decided on a "different course of action" against Palestinian militants. It did not elaborate.

An aide to Mr. Arafat, Ahmed Abdul-Rahman, said the Israeli military strikes are a "new crime," and appealed to the international community to end the "Israeli aggression."

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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