Israeli troops have killed two Palestinian fighters during araid in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinianresistance group and the Israeli army have said.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, linked to the Fatah faction of MahmoudAbbas, the Palestinian president, announced the deaths over loudspeakers in thecity of Nabluson Tuesday.

An Israeli army spokeswoman in Tel Aviv said Israeli forcescarrying out "routine activity" in the West Bankcity fired at a group of armed men, hitting two of them.

"A group of gunmen opened fire at forces operating inthe Nablus areaand a gun battle ensued in which two of the gunmen belonging to Fatah werekilled," the spokeswoman said.

She added that she was not aware of any other casualties onthe Palestinian side.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in the West Bank said Israeli troops stormed houses during the raid inthe city.

A local hospital said it received the bodies of twoPalestinians killed in the incident.

Source:Agencies