NABLUS, West Bank, (Reuters) – A Palestinian militant was killed on Sunday when a grenade he tried to throw at Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank exploded prematurely, witnesses and the army said.

They said the 18-year-old member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas” Fatah faction, attempted to attack soldiers scouring Balata refugee camp in Nablus for militants.

Three militants were arrested, the army said.

Israeli troops often raid occupied West Bank towns in search of Palestinians suspected of spearheading a 5-year-old uprising.

Palestinians say the operations undermine efforts to maintain a ceasefire declared in February and restart peace talks. Israel says they are carried out to prevent attacks.