Israel says 'rescue squad' had a bomb

NABLUS - Israeli soldiers shot dead four Palestinians yesterday, hours after Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed to hold ceasefire talks.

The governor of Palestinian-ruled Nablus, Mahmoud Aloul, said three civilians were killed when they tried to rescue a gunman who was shot and wounded in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops near the West Bank city.

The Israeli Army had no immediate comment. Israel Radio, citing military sources, said soldiers had ambushed a group of Palestinians believed to be planting a bomb.

But Aloul said: "When three other Palestinians came to pick up the injured gunman, they were shot at and killed immediately."

A Palestinian security source said three bodies were found at dawn in an olive grove near the village of Beit Iba and a fourth body, apparently that of the gunman they tried to rescue, was in the hands of the Israeli Army.

Four other Palestinians were wounded in the incident, the source said.

Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had separate meetings with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, who has taken on a role as a mediator in a bid to end nearly 11 months of bloodshed.

Arafat said after meeting Fischer he was prepared to meet Peres in Berlin "at any moment". Peres said he intended to see Arafat - whom he met in June and July - "in the near future".

- REUTERS

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