Settler killed in West Bank shooting; Gaza militant killed in clashes with Israeli troops

An Israeli settler was killed in a shooting attack while driving near the West Bank town of Nablus, and Israeli troops stopped two attempted infiltrations by Palestinian militants from Gaza, the military said Tuesday.

The violence took place just days before a conference in the U.S. where Israel and the Palestinians are to formally relaunch long-stalled peace talks.

The military said it was not clear whether the settler killed Monday night was shot by Palestinians driving in a passing vehicle or shooting from a hiding place near the road.

A group affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement claimed responsibility for the attack, Israeli media reported..

Shortly after, troops identified armed Palestinians trying to infiltrate Israel from northern Gaza near an Israeli farming community, the military said. Two militants were shot in the ensuing gunbattle, the military said.

Israeli media reported that two armed men were killed.

No Palestinian militant faction immediately claimed responsibility, and no casualties were immediately reported.

Separately, two gunmen approached the security fence separating Gaza from Israel near the southern town of Khan Younis. Israeli troops, fearing an infiltration attempt, opened fire and shot two men, the military said.

Islamic Hamas militants and Palestinian medical sources said a Hamas gunman was killed and five others were wounded, including two in critical condition.