Three Palestinians die in West Bank clashes

JENIN, West Bank - A Palestinian bomber blew himself up and Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in clashes today in the town of Jenin in the West Bank, security sources and Palestinian witnesses said.

Violence also flared up in the city of Ramallah, where gunmen opened fire on the home of Interior Minister Nasser Yousef. Yousef, who was home at the time, was unhurt, but three gunmen were wounded, one critically.

Gunmen also shot at the offices of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie. There were no injuries there.

The incidents broke a relative lull in violence since Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke last week.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been struggling to contain internal disorder in the run-up to Palestinian parliamentary elections on January 25.

In Jenin, Israeli troops were on a raid to arrest militants when a Palestinian emerged from a house and blew himself up, according to an Israeli security source.

The source said the bomber had appeared to be wearing an explosive belt. There were no Israeli casualties.

Another Palestinian militant in the house was shot and killed by the Israeli soldiers, according to Palestinian witnesses. The Israeli security source could only confirm that the gunman was hit.

Palestinian witnesses said another Palestinian was killed during a separate clash with Israeli forces in Jenin.

In Ramallah, Yousef's bodyguards returned fire and wounded three of the gunmen, who were taken to hospital. One was in critical condition with a neck wound, medics said. A fourth gunman escaped in a car, prompting Palestinian security forces to set up roadblocks in the West Bank city.

It was not immediately clear which of the many armed Palestinian factions the gunmen belonged to or what prompted the attack.

- REUTERS