The Israeli army blew up two houses today in the Palestinian-ruled area of the West Bank city of Hebron in retaliation for the shooting of an 11-year-old boy.
The army alleges the houses on a strategic hilltop had been used by gunmen firing at a Jewish settlement in the valley below.
Palestinian security sources said two Palestinians were killed in a gunfight with troops last night but hospitals did not confirm the deaths.
About 500 Jewish settlers live beside some 120,000 Palestinians in Hebron, a flashpoint for violence even before a Palestinian uprising began against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip nearly 11 months ago.