Israeli soldiers shot dead two Hamas activists Monday as they rode a tractor near the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinian security officials said.
Palestinian officials said the bodies of the two men were riddled by bullets and accused Israel of killing them in a targeted attack. One of those killed, Shaman Sobih, 28, was a senior activist in the northern West Bank and was on Israel's wanted list. Sobih's home in the village of Burkin near Jenin was blown up by Israeli forces two months ago, AP reported.
The second man was identified as Mustafa Fash, a Hamas activist.
Sobih and Fash were riding on a tractor from Burkin to Jenin when they were confronted by an Israeli patrol, the Palestinian security officials said. Members of the patrol and soldiers in a nearby jeep opened fire, security officials said.
Meanwhile, Fatah and top officials from Hamas will resume talks in Cairo this week. "The Fatah delegation will be composed of high officials from the movement," a Fatah statement said without giving further details.
Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Hassan told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah that a second round of talks with top Hamas officials, including Khaled Mishal, would take place in Cairo on Tuesday "to end the Israeli occupation." Senior PLO official Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) would head the Palestinian delegation, Hassan said.
Hamas officials in Gaza said a meeting with Fatah in Cairo was in the works, but that no date was set.
Fatah and Hamas last met November 9-13 in Cairo to discuss a possible halt to attacks against Israeli civilians. The meeting ended with no tangible results.
In that meeting, Fatah failed to persuade Hamas to suspend attacks. Last week, Egypt also urged another group, Islamic Jihad, to stop suicide attacks. The group said it would consider the call. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
