Palestinian said killed by Israeli fire during West Bank protests

A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes in the West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The ministry said the man, who it did not immediately name, was shot in the stomach with live ammunition.

The incident took place near the Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah in the central West Bank. There were repeated street clashes in the area Friday, with protesters slinging rocks and burning tires and soldiers responding with tear gas.

The IDF had no immediate comment.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank as Israel presses on with a manhunt for the Palestinian gunman who killed two Israeli soldiers on Thursday, the second fatal attack this week. Israel has boosted its forces and arrested dozens of Hamas members in an overnight raid.

On Thursday, a Palestinian opened fire at a bus stop outside the Givat Assaf settlement outpost in the West Bank and killed Sgt. Yovel Mor Yosef, 20, and Cpl. Yosef Cohen, 19, while another soldier and civilian were wounded.

Troops searched for the terrorists overnight in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Soldiers arrested 40 Palestinians throughout the West Bank suspected of involvement in terror and rioting, 37 of whom the IDF said were known Hamas operatives.

In the wake of Thursday’s shooting, Israel set up checkpoints on the outskirts of  Ramallah, searching cars and checking the IDs of drivers entering the Palestinians’ typically quiet center of government and commerce. Some Israeli-controlled roads were completely blocked to Palestinian traffic.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said the measures were aimed at preventing “copycat” attacks. “We know that when there is one attack there may be others,” he said.

Inside Ramallah, streets were empty and shops were shuttered Thursday as the Palestinians called a general strike to protest Israel’s actions, including the killing of two wanted terrorists.

Following the latest attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who also serves as defense minister — beefed up troop levels across the West Bank, ordered detentions of Hamas activists and called for demolishing the homes of attackers within 48 hours.

Netanyahu has said he would “settle accounts” with the attackers, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held Israel responsible for what he said was a violent environment.