RAMALLAH, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces shot dead three Palestinian militants near the West Bank city of Jenin late Friday afternoon, Palestinian security sources confirmed.

    The sources said that the Israeli troops ambushed a car carrying three militants from the Islamic Jihad (Holy War)movement, killing all of them.

    The militants exchanged fire with the Israeli soldiers who prevented ambulance workers from getting near the scene immediately.

    Earlier, Palestinian security sources put the death toll to at least one militant near, together with two others wounded.

    Israeli press reports said all the passengers who were in the car have been killed.

    A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the killing of the Islamic Jihad members.

    "This is a dangerous Israeli escalation that will draw more deterioration in this region," spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina said.

    He added that the Israeli operation came as the Palestinian leadership was persuading militant groups to maintain a state of calmness with Israel.

    Gaza militias demand Israel to stop West Bank raids in exchange for halting Palestinian rocket attacks against southern Israel.