Palestinian teenager shot dead by Israeli forces near Bethlehem

A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, the Palestinian health ministry has said.

"Mohammed Shehade, 14, was killed by Israeli forces' gunfire in Al-Khader," in the Bethlehem area, a ministry statement said.

Israel's army confirmed its forces killed a Palestinian. It alleged that the boy was among three suspects who "hurled Molotov cocktails at passing drivers, endangering their lives".

Local eyewitnesses said the teenager was shot during confrontations with Israeli forces, who raided the Palestinian town of Al-Khader, news agency Wafa reported.

Ahmad Salah, an activist, told Wafa that Israeli forces opened live fire at the Palestinians, injuring Shehade before detaining him. The soldiers also prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching him.

The Palestinian health ministry said later that Shehade has died of his wounds.

Rights groups have constantly slammed Israeli forces for showing "appalling disregard for human life" by using "reckless and unlawful lethal force" against Palestinians.

Amnesty International has repeatedly urged an end to the "worrying rise in unlawful killings by Israeli forces, fostered by a culture of impunity".