Militants kill two Israeli soldiers

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-29-2007 10:32

Palestinian militants have killed two off-duty Israeli soldiers who were hiking near the West Bank city of Hebron.

Israeli soldiers patrol in the area following a shooting close to the West Bank city of Hebron, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Israeli officials say the soldiers lived in a nearby Jewish settlement. The Israelis shot back, leaving two gunmen dead. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the shooting.

Israel has recently killed several Islamic Jihad militants in the Gaza Strip, including some senior commanders.

The group had threatened to retaliate for the Gaza attacks. A splinter group of the al Aqsa Martrys' Brigades in the Gaza Strip also claimed responsibility for Friday's shooting.

West Bank leaders of the militant group, which is part of President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, denied any role in the shooting.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei