Suspected Militant Killed by Israeli Troops in Nablus

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Blasts shook a building in the West Bank (search) city of Nablus as Israeli troops battled Palestinian militants on Friday, witnesses said. At least one suspected militant was killed, witnesses said.

Palestinians opened fire and threw hand grenades as Israeli troops launched an arrest raid, military sources said on condition of anonymity. The ensuing gunbattle lasted more than two hours.

Witnesses said amid the shooting they heard four large blasts that tore into the five-story building.

It was unclear whether grenades caused all the blasts.

People in the area said soldiers removed the body of one man from the building. Four residents took the man's body and laid him nearby, the witnesses said.

Soldiers ordered all residents out of the building during the siege, and some left, said Dr. Ziyad Atebeh, who lives nearby.