DATE=9/5/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS UPDATE (S)

NUMBER=2-307195

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: UPDATES CR 2-307182 WITH IDENTIFICATION OF MILITANT KILLED AND REWORKS THRUOUT///

INTRO: Israeli military officials say troops shot and killed a local leader of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in the West Bank city of Nablus Friday. One Israeli soldier was also killed in the clashes and four others were injured. V-O-A's Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israeli troops entered Nablus in the early morning hours Friday. The apparent target of the mission was Mohammed Hanbali, a senior Hamas commander, described by Israel as a top bombmaker.

Authorities say as troops closed in a gun battle broke out and Mr. Hanbali was killed. Several suspected militants were arrested.

Troops later blew up a multi-story apartment building in which they say the wanted men had been hiding. The building was evacuated before the explosion, but its demolition has left a number of families homeless.

Israeli-Palestinian violence has risen sharply in recent weeks. In mid-August, a Hamas suicide bombing in Jerusalem killed 22 people. Israel has since carried out a half dozen targeted assassination attacks against senior militants, a self-imposed cease-fire by major militant groups has collapsed as have peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. (SIGNED)

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