A Palestinian civilian has been shot dead during clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. The shooting happened east of the town of Tulkarem.
Earlier, Palestinians shot an Israeli man dead in a restaurant near Ramallah, in the northern West Bank. The man, a civilian believed to be in his 60s, was in the company of Palestinian friends in the village of Nahalin, west of Ramallah.
He was shot in the head at point blank range. His death brings to 756 the number of people killed since the Palestinian uprising began last September. The death toll includes 578 Palestinians and 156 Israelis.
The man's death came as Israeli forces completed a withdrawal from the West Bank town of Beit Jala. The withdrawal comes two days after they entered it to seize positions held by Palestinian gunmen.
The European Union brokered a deal under which the Israeli forces would pull out of Beit Jala, if Palestinians stopped firing at the Jewish settlement of Gilo, yesterday. The incursion had heightened international concern that the conflict between the two sides might spiral out of control.
Beit Jala residents responded joyfully to the eventual withdrawal. However, Israeli officials were quick to warn that Army units posted at the entrance to Beit Jala remained ready to return should Palestinian gunfire in the area resume.
