An Israeli air strike killed the alleged leaders of two violent Palestinian groups in the Jenin refugee camp last night.
They were identified as Mr Alah Sabbagh, local leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militia - affiliated with Palestinian chairman Mr Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement - and Mr Imad Nasrti, local leader of Hamas.
They were in the same room on the first floor of a building when a missile came through the window and exploded, rescue workers said.
Israeli forces had moved into Jenin at the northern edge of the West Bank a few hours earlier.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials acknowledge it is increasingly unlikely general elections will be held as scheduled on January 20th, as Israel's governing Likud Party prepared for a leadership primary to be held this week ahead of a national election also set for January.
Palestinian officials are hesitating to announce a postponement of the January election for president and parliament, but the Election Commission has not managed to meet to begin organisational work.
A European diplomat estimated it would take four or five months to arrange the poll.
Palestinian Cabinet minister Mr Saeb Erekat said he was "not hopeful" the elections would be held as scheduled and blamed Israel, whose troops have been in control of most West Bank cities since mid-June.
"The Israeli government has done nothing but obstruct our efforts," he said. "We haven't been able to register voters or train people for this huge process."
PA