Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinian at West Bank funeral

A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army gunfire in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, after the presence of Israeli forces at the funeral of a Palestinian boy sparked violence, officials said.

"Shawkat Khalid Awad, 20, died of gunshot wounds to the head and stomach in Beit Ummar," the Palestinian health ministry said.

The area has been the scene of Israeli violence against protesters for weeks.

On Wednesday, 12-year-old Mohamad al-Alami died after being shot by Israeli soldiers while travelling in a car with his father in Beit Ummar, northwest of Hebron, Palestinian officials said.

On Thursday a procession followed the boy's body, draped in the flag of Fatah, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's party, through Beit Ummar, where he was buried.

Later, hundreds of Palestinians threw stones at Israeli soldiers who responded by firing tear gas, an AFP correspondent said.

On Saturday a 17-year-old Palestinian died from wounds he received the day before.

Mohammed Munir al-Tamimi, who also suffered gunshot wounds from Israeli forces in the flashpoint village of Beita, died in hospital, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Hundreds of Palestinians had gathered last Friday afternoon in Beita to protest against the wildcat Jewish settlement of Eviatar, located nearby. All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by most of the international community.

Israeli forces responded with force, injuring more than 320 Palestinians, according to the Red Crescent.