2 Palestinian Gunmen Killed in Nablus

Palestinians inspect a house belonging to a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades after it was damaged in an Israeli army operation in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. The army was searching for a wanted militant who managed to escape, Palestinian sources said. (AP Photo / Nasser Ishtayeh) (Nasser Ishtayeh - AP)

NABLUS, West Bank -- Israeli troops killed two Palestinian gunmen in an exchange of fire in this West Bank city early Thursday, hospital officials and members of a local militia said.

More than a dozen Israeli jeeps and a bulldozer drove into Nablus' old city before dawn, residents said. A gunbattle erupted between troops and members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.

Two Al Aqsa gunmen, Amer Kalboni and Wael Awad, both 21, were killed, according to hospital officials.

The Israeli military confirmed the gunfight, and said troops reported at least one gunman being hit.

More than 150 Al Aqsa gunmen operate in the Nablus area, a Fatah stronghold.