Israelis kill eighth Hamas militant in three days

Israeli soldiers shot dead a Hamas militant in the West Bank yesterday. Mohammed al-Mur was the eighth Hamas activist killed in the past three days during an Israeli offensive against the organisation.

The army said Mr Mur was shot while trying to resist arrest; Palestinians accused the army of murdering him. Israel has a policy of killing militant leaders.

The army said Mr Mur barricaded himself in his house in the West Bank town of Yatta and refused calls to surrender. Soldiers believed he was armed and opened fire. Mr Mur's uncle, Mahmoud, said: "He was at home when the soldiers came. He ran away and they shot him in the leg. He carried on to another house. There, the soldiers shot him dead."

The offensive began after the organisation killed four Israeli soldiers when it set fire to a tank on Saturday. Hamas, which opposes a ceasefire or talks with the Israeli government, is gaining popularity among Palestinians.