An inquest into the death of a British worker who was killed in a gun battle between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen has been opened.

Iain Hook, from Felixstowe, Suffolk, was a senior official for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Jenin.

The 54-year-old was killed in crossfire as he struggled to negotiate the rescue of his colleagues inside the West Bank refugee camp on 22 November.

Coroner Dr Peter Dean opened the inquest at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday and adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.

Detective Inspector Jim Keeble of Suffolk Police told the hearing that Mr Hook´s body was identified to him by one of his two sons, Nicholas, at Ipswich Hospital.

He said police inquiries on behalf of the coroner into the death would be "quite extensive".

Home Office pathologist Dr Michael Heath, who performed a post-mortem examination, said Mr Hook died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

He said Mr Hook also suffered an injury to his abdomen but Dr Heath was unable to ascertain how this was caused.

Dr Heath said X-rays, the post-mortem report and any ballistic report made by the Israeli authorities would need to be viewed as part of the investigation.

Dr Dean offered his condolences to Mr Hook´s family.

Mr Hook´s widow Cathy, and sons Nicholas and Julian, who attended the hearing, declined to comment afterwards. (BBC.CO.UK 12/02/02)