Jerusalem, June 27: Israeli border police today killed two Palestinians who had infiltrated into Israel's north from the West Bank and were planning a bomb attack, police said. It was the third incident in the area of the Israel-West Bank line in the last 36 hours, and it came as Palestinians spoke of a cease-fire agreement to halt attacks against Israel for three months. Formal announcement of the truce was expected over the weekend.

The police said paramilitary border police caught up with the Palestinians and killed them near the Israeli Arab town of Baka al-Garbiyeh, which is next to the West Bank. They were carrying two bags thought to contain bombs.

Two other Palestinians were arrested, and police said they were suspected of providing transport to the would-be bombers.

Police demolition experts were planning to blow up the bombs.

Nearby, a few hours earlier, a Palestinian teenager shot and killed an Israeli telephone company technician. The gunman was shot by a security guard and captured. A breakaway faction of the al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, linked to the mainstream Fatah group, claimed responsibility.

Yesterday, police arrested two West Bank Palestinians who were planning a bombing in central Israel. Police exploded the bomb they were carrying.

Bureau Report