Palestinians say Israeli raid kills 3

Israeli troops have shot and killed three Palestinians, including two security officers, in a shootout that erupted in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin during what appeared to be an Israeli arrest raid overnight, Palestinian officials say.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority co-ordinate security operations in the territory against Hamas and other militant groups seen as a threat to both of them.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday condemned what he called a "dangerous Israeli escalation", saying the three were killed by Israeli special forces who disguise themselves as Arabs during arrest raids.

The Israeli military and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Israeli media reported that special forces went into Jenin to arrest two Islamic Jihad operatives when they came under fire.

One of the Palestinian suspects was killed, as well as the two security officers, reports said.

Online video appears to show Palestinian officers taking cover behind a vehicle as gunshots re heard in the background. One shouts that they are exchanging fire with Israeli "undercover" forces.

The PA said the two officers were members of its military intelligence force.

Under interim peace agreements signed in the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority has limited autonomy in scattered enclaves that make up about 40 per cent of the occupied West Bank.

Hamas drove its forces out of Gaza in 2007 when the Islamic militant group seized power.

Israel has overarching security authority in the West Bank and routinely carries out arrest raids in Palestinian cities and towns administered by the PA.