An Israeli strike killed six Palestinians this evening, including a man Israel said had been the mastermind of a suicide bombing that killed 26 people, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.
Palestinian medics and witnesses confirmed that six people had been killed in the attack on a house in Toubas village, one of them Mr Qais Idwan, the head of the military wing of the Islamic group Hamas in the nearby West Bank city of Jenin.
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A flare flies over Bethlehem during an Israeli army attack on the Nativity church overnight. Photograph: Reuters
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An Israeli security source said Israel believed Mr Idwan had masterminded the suicide bombing in the Israeli city of Netanya at the start of the Jewish Passover holiday last week.
The Netanya bombing was followed by an Israeli invasion of Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank, including Toubas, to root out militants.
In a separate development, the bodies of seven Palestinians suspected of collaboration with Israel were found near Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
It has also been reported that at least nine Palestinians were killed in overnight and earlier morning clashes with the Israeli army.
The seven bodies in Bethlehem were found as the Israeli army called on the Palestinian gunmen in the Church of the Nativity to come out.
"For the peace of all, everyone must exit this holy spot and will be treated with dignity and respect," a voice blared in Arabic with an Israeli accent from a loudspeaker between bursts of machine-gun fire.
Some 300 people - including civilians, Palestinian officials and clergy - are estimated to be in the church, which marks the birthplace of Jesus Christ according to Christian belief.
At least eight Palestinians were killed and 24 wounded as battles raged overnight in Nablus, the West Bank's biggest city, Palestinian security officials and witnesses said today.
Young girl (14) was killed by Israeli helicopter fire in the north-eastern West Bank town of Toubas, witnesses and town officials said.
AFP and