Israeli troops have tracked and killed a Palestinian activist of the militant Islamic group Hamas today, a move Palestinians said would set back international efforts to end 10 months of bloodshed.
Palestinian witnesses said it appeared four rockets or tank shells struck a red car driven by Mr Salah Darwaza near the Al-Ayn refugee camp close to the West Bank city of Nablus.
The Israeli army took responsibility for the attack. In a statement, it said Darwaza had been a prominent member of Hamas in Nablus and had helped plan a series of bombings in Israel since a Palestinian uprising began in late September.
A Hamas leadersaid Darwaza, imprisoned in the past by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, was a member of the group's political wing and not involved in "military operations."
But the army said eight Israelis had been killed and more than 100 wounded in attacks planned by Darwaza. "The army will continue to take action to thwart attacks in order to ensure the security of Israeli civilians and soldiers," the statement said.
The killing coincided with a visit to the region by European Union foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana who met Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat in the Gaza Strip today, after talks with Israeli leaders the previous day.
Palestinians say Israel has assassinated around 40 Palestinian activists since their uprising against Israeli occupation erupted following the collapse of peace talks.
The United States has criticized these targeted killings, saying the policy escalates violence at a time when the world community is trying to encourage Israel and the Palestinians to implement a cease-fire.