TULKARM, West Bank -- Israeli tanks and troops raided a West Bank refugee camp on Tuesday and killed one armed Palestinian while wounding another in an exchange of fire, Israeli military sources said.

The violence flared hours after Israeli troops withdrew from the city of Bethlehem in the first real step toward ending nearly two years of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

The military sources said that during a raid on Tulkarm Refugee Camp, following a warning of Palestinian plans to attack Israeli civilians, shooting erupted and troops shot dead one armed man who was carrying explosives.

Military sources also reported initially that a second gunman was killed, but later said he was wounded.

Palestinians reported two additional wounded.

More than 15 people were detained for questioning, army radio said, REUTERS reported.

Palestinian witnesses reported more than 50 tanks, jeeps and armored personnel carriers ferried troops to the camp which has been under almost constant curfew in recent weeks.

Tulkarm lies close to population centres in central Israel.