Israeli forces kill Palestinian footballer while escorting settler raid in Nablus

Israeli forces shot dead a 23-year-old Palestinian man and wounded five others early on Thursday in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian medics. 

Ahmed Daraghmeh was killed when Israeli troops opened fire after entering the city of Nablus to escort Israeli settlers to a site known as the biblical Joseph’s Tomb in the Palestinian city. 

Gunfire could be heard in videos recorded by Palestinians from their windows. 

Daraghmeh was shot in the back and foot, according to Al Jazeera.

Daraghmeh was from the nearby town of Tubas and was a football player for the town’s local Tulkarem team. 

Daraghmeh's friend Ahmad Rajoub said his killing was "very sad news for all Palestinian sports, a Palestinian football star whose dreams and ambitions are being stolen because of a racist fascist occupation," according to Arabi48.

His coach Sabah Sabah also condemned the attack, saying "the world honours football players and celebrates them on international occasions, and in Palestine they are killed by the Israeli occupation forces."

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Israel has occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War when it invaded the territory in a move considered illegal by the international community.

A surge in bloodshed this year has seen more than 200 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, making it the deadliest year for Palestinians in nearly two decades.