"This incident did happen and an inquiry was opened to look into the circumstances that led to it," the sources said. "We won't hesitate to take any measures against the soldiers if necessary."

The family of suicide bomber Mohammed al-Zuhul told AFP Israeli troops had torn down and burnt a tent that was handed out to them by the Red Cross after their house was razed by army bulldozers.

The four-room house in the southern West Bank village of Hussan near Bethlehem was home to 13 people, apart from Mohammed who blew himself up on a Jerusalem bus Sunday killing eight Israelis and wounding scores.

Israel systematically destroys the houses of Palestinian suicide bombers to deter other militants from following their example.

The family said they were given another tent by the Red Cross after the torching incident.

WAR.WIRE