DATE=10/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-295948

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S-UPDATE)

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT=

/// UPDATES CR 2-295933 ///

INTRO: The Gaza Strip home of a member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was rocked by a series of explosions Thursday. Larry James reports from Jerusalem that at least three people were killed and three others wounded.

TEXT: Witnesses said the two-story home belonged to Hamas member Salah Nassar. He is the brother of Wael Nassar, a senior official in the military wing of the militant Islamic group. Salah Nasser was said to be among the wounded.

Hamas is one of the groups behind a series of suicide bombings that have killed scores of Israelis since the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began more than two years ago.

Elsewhere, Israeli radio reported that two Palestinians were killed in a gun battle in the West Bank town of Tulkarem. The fighting broke out when Israeli troops entered a school in search of suspected militants.

An Israeli army officer killed a Palestinian gunman in another exchange of gunfire near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, also in the West Bank.

And the Israeli army demolished four homes in the Jenin refugee camp belonging to families of suspected Palestinian militants.

Human rights groups have criticized the Israeli policy, calling it collective punishment for the actions of a few extremists. Israel says the policy prevents attacks by Palestinian militants against Israelis. (Signed)

NEB/LDJ/KL/TW