GAZA, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, armed wing of the mainstream Fatah movement, and Saraya al Quds, armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, issued a joint statement on Thursday, asserting that the Israeli army killed two militants in Gaza.

    "20-year-old Abed al Kareem al Mansy of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigadesand 24-year-old Islam al Wadeya of the Saraya were killed by Israeli fire Thursday," the statement said.

    The two men attempted to infiltrate the border fence between theGaza Strip and Israel and exchanged fire with Israeli soldiers stationing in the western Negev Kibbutz of Nahal Oz.

    The gunbattle lasted for about two hours, and the two militants were killed.

    Meanwhile, the Israeli said informed the Palestinian side that the Israeli army kept the two bodies and would hand over them in 48hours. Enditem