Five killed in Israeli sweep through West Bank town

NABLUS, West Bank -- Five Palestinians died Tuesday when Israeli soldiers swept through the West Bank town of Tulkarem, one a leading militant and another a teenager who had climbed on top of an Israeli armored vehicle, Palestinians said.

Mideast violence that has persisted for two years shows no signs of abating, despite efforts to mediate a truce.

Soldiers tried to arrest Tarek Zaghal, a leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade militia, wounding him as he tried to escape. He later died of his wounds, Palestinians said. The Al Aqsa group is linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.

Near Tulkarem, two Palestinians were killed when their car crashed after running an Israeli army roadblock, Israel Radio reported.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment about any of the incidents.

Israel is maintaining control of most main West Bank population centers after an incursion in mid-June, a response to Palestinian suicide bomb attacks. Curfews are enforced much of the time, confining people to their homes.

Palestinians said a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Tuesday when he climbed on top of an Israeli armored vehicle in the center of Tulkarem. The military said soldiers shot at a Palestinian who threw a firebomb at a tank, endangering soldiers.

In Nablus, about 100 Palestinians demonstrated against the protracted Israeli occupation. A woman was hurt when soldiers opened fire, Palestinians said. The army had no comment.