Israeli combat helicopters fired seven missiles at a post for Palestinian anti-riot police in the West Bank town of Tulkarm on Sunday, Palestinian security officials said.

There were no immediate reports of wounded from the strike and the army had no immediate comment.

The army has regularly bombarded Palestinian security posts in response to attacks on Israelis in an 11-month-old Palestinian uprising against Israel's occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Sunday, Palestinian gunmen shot dead an Israeli merchant when he stopped his car at a Palestinian village near Tulkarm to buy clothing.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 08/27/2001)