The army commander of Israel's central region, which includes the West Bank, said firing orders had been modified following several operations during which "innocent Palestinian civilians" were killed or injured, the radio said.

General Moshe Klaplinsky did not elaborate on the new rules of engagment.

But he said the army could reinforce its checks of Palestinian ambulances after it uncovered an explosive belt aboard an ambulance in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the radio added.

He was also quoted as saying that an army officer manning the largest checkpoint on the West Bank had been dismissed.

The radio said he was removed after Palestinians complained against his behavior that "contradicted orders."

The report came as the international diplomatic quartet pushing a Middle East peace plan known as the roadmap criticised Israel for the killing of Palestinian civilians in its operations against militants.

WAR.WIRE