Palestinian Authority security forces detained two men on Thursday suspected of involvement in a deadly shooting attack in which four Israelis were killed on Tuesday.

Open gallery view Scene of a deadly terror attack in the West Bank on August 31, 2010 Credit: Tomer Appelbaum

The four victims were residents of the Beit Hagai settlement in the West Bank. They were traveling in a car on route 60 late Tuesday when assailants opened fire at them, killing all four.

Following the incident, Palestinian security forces in the West Bank carried out one of the largest arrest sweeps in history, bringing in over 300 suspects in efforts to locate the culprits.

The vehicle from which the attack was carried out was located on Wednesday, and the evidence had apparently led the authorities to the suspects apprehended on Wednesday.

The suspects are two Hamas-affiliated residents of Hebron.

On Wednesday, one day after the deadly shooting attack, assailants once again opened fire at an Israeli vehicle at Rimonim Junction, east of Ramallah. Two people were wounded in the attack.

The spate of shootings coincided with the launch of U.S.-backed direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians in Washington. The Islamist Palestinian faction Hamas have come out vocally against the talks, claiming responsibility for the shooting attacks and warning of further attacks.

