Israeli soldiers shot dead Monday a 22-year-old Palestinian during clashes in the northern West Bank town of Salim, near Nablus, according to press reports.
Israeli forces had entered the town after a Jewish settler was shot in the hand and Palestinians fired upon an Israeli army officer, said AFP.
Fighting continued throughout the day in the village, which is in an Israeli-controlled security zone.
The killing came after the body of Roni Tzalat, who went missing Sunday in the southern Gaza Strip, was discovered in a field in the Palestinian autonomous town of Khan Yunis, said Haaretz newspaper.
Israeli sources said Tzalah might have been kidnapped by Palestinian co-workers at the greenhouse where he was employed.
Around 100 Jewish settlers struck back at Palestinians for Tzalah's murder, descending upon the Arab area of al-Mawasi near Kfar Yam where he disappeared, said AFP.
Palestinian witnesses said they burned seven empty houses, 15 plastic-covered greenhouses, 20 beach-houses, farms, fruit trees and two cars.
The settlers shot automatic weapons in the air and beat up a few Palestinians, the witnesses added.
Dror Vanono, spokesman for the Jewish settlers in Gush Katif, responded that 10 settlers had merely cut and burned trees where the Palestinians who killed Tzalah were hiding, AFP added.
"In the last three months, there have been bombings and shootings against the settlers and the army. This is the first time settlers said that they have had enough," Vanano said.
The Israeli army designated the area a closed "military zone" and took few steps to restrain the settlers, the radio said.
After Tzalah's body was found, the Israeli army re-imposed tight restrictions on the Gaza Strip, including the closure of roads, the Palestinian airport and crossing points into Israel, Haaretz added.
The restrictions had been eased following marathon talks between security officials and peace negotiators of both sides overnight Wednesday.
Also near Nablus, the body of a Palestinian whom locals described as having been known for collaborating with Israel was found dumped on his doorstep, witnesses told AFP.
Residents of the Arab village of Burqin said Mohammed Musa Abdel Rahman, 38, was shot four times in the body.
On the Israeli political front, right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon continued to show his strength over Barak, whom he faces in the February 6 elections.
According to Haaretz, a Gallup poll published in the daily Maariv showed Sharon 17 points ahead.
In another move, the Israeli Supreme Court decided to hear a case aimed at halting the Israeli policy of killing Palestinian leaders suspected of conducting attacks against Israel, the lawyer for a slain Palestinian official's widow was quoted by AFP as saying.
The court had ordered Barak's office to submit a brief explaining the policy by January 30, lawyer Naila Atiah said.
An Israeli official said Barak's office would answer the court, but defended Israel's tactics against the Palestinians.
"Everyone whom we have shot was someone carrying out an active attack or preparing one," the official said.
In the meantime, Haaretz newspaper reported that partial talks between Israelis and Palestinians may resume Tuesday.
Israel called off Monday a planned meeting with the Palestinians following the settler's death -- Albawaba.com
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