Israeli undercover units shot dead on Thursday a Palestinian militant, member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades linked to the Fatah movement, in the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank town of Nablus, witnesses said.

Ibrahim al-Smiri, 25, was shot dead in the refugee camp after Israeli soldiers disguising as locals broke into the area and opened fire at him.

More Israeli soldiers and armored jeeps and vehicles arrived at the scene, said the witnesses, adding that Smiri's body lay on the ground and the soldiers surrounded it.

It was the first time that the Israeli army had assassinated Palestinian militants since Israel and the Palestinian side declared a mutual ceasefire in February.