One Palestinian Killed And Three Injured In Israeli Troops Strike In West Bank

JAKARTA - A Palestinian was killed and three others injured, in an arrest raid in the West Bank carried out by Israeli forces, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.

The Israeli military said its soldiers opened fire after stones and firebombs were thrown at them as they entered a refugee camp near the city of Jericho.

Israel is known to have stepped up military operations in the West Bank, where Palestinians seek an independent state, after a spate of deadly street attacks in Israeli cities last month.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said a 20-year-old man, Ahmed Ibrahim Oweidat, died after being shot in the head. Three people were injured and hospitalized.

Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh condemned the killing and condemned "Israeli crimes" in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said its troops were carrying out "counterterrorism activities to arrest fugitive suspects" at the Aqabat Jabr Refugee Camp when they were attacked by dozens of Palestinians.

"The rioters burned tires, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers. The soldiers retaliated by dispersing riots and live ammunition," the spokesman said, adding that no Israeli soldiers were injured.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that Palestinians had thrown stones at the soldiers. Two Palestinians, a father and son were detained by Israeli forces, residents said.

The killings took place against a backdrop of recent violence in the West Bank and Israel.

Since March 22, Arab assailants have killed 14 people in Israel, including three police officers. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed at least 17 Palestinians, including gunmen and civilians, in the West Bank, medics said.