Israeli soldiers have shot dead two Palestinians at a border crossing near the West Bank town of Nablus.

Earlier this weekend, Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinians elsewhere in the West Bank.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has fiercely criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to build 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem.The Palestinians will not take part in peace negotiations as long as Israel does not halt construction in the Palestinian Territories.

Mr Netanyahu's has made some concessions to improve the situation. He promised to ease the blockade of the Gaza Strip and announced the release of several hundred members of the Fatah movement. The measures are intended to placate the US government which is strongly opposed to the planned construction of homes in East Jerusalem.