Israeli copters strikes West Bank village

NASSARIYA, West Bank: Four Israeli helicopters opened fire on Thursday over the West Bank village of Beit Hassan, east of Nablus, after the army imposed a curfew there, an AFP journalist in the neighbouring village said.

The helicopters appeared to have opened fire on an abandoned house in an orchard in Beit Hassan, a village in an area of Palestinian administrative but Israeli security control 10 kilometres (six miles) east of Nablus.

Israel public radio, quoting Palestinian sources, said a wanted Palestinian suspect had been hiding out in the building.

Israel has been scouring the West Bank for suspected militants since March 29, as part of a controversial offensive called Operation Defensive Wall.