Israeli forces kill Palestinian man, tear gas residents in West Bank raid

Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man late on Friday during a military incursion near the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

The raid took place in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, where confrontations broke out and Israeli forces used live fire on civilians.

The Palestinian man has been identified as 20-year-old Ibrahim Hamza Zaqeq, with medical sources at the National Hospital confirming that he was shot with live fire in the head.

According to Wafa, citing an activist from the town, Israeli forces also used stun grenades and tear gas on residents, causing many to suffer from smoke inhalation.

The news agency added that Zaqeq was just released from Israeli prisons two weeks ago, and had also been wounded by Israeli fire two years ago.

The city of Hebron declared a day of mourning and a general strike on Saturday over his killing.

Since Israel launched its war on Gaza on 7 October, there has been an uptick in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The United Nations stated last month that over 500 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October,  while an additional 8,425 have been arrested in the same time frame.