A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli occupation soldiers on Friday; the Israeli occupation army said that he tried to drive his car into a military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.

"A Palestinian attempted to ram his vehicle into security forces near Hebron" in the southern West Bank, an army statement said.

It said that forces present "shot the attacker, resulting in his death", adding that no Israelis were injured in the attack.

Since the beginning of October, Israel has killed 116 Palestinians, maan news agency said on Friday.

Palestinians have been protesting since the beginning of October against Israel's attempts to build more settlements in east Jerusalem and force out Arab residents of the city, which is the planned capital of a future Palestinian state.

The current wave of protests and repression started in late July when toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians were severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers.

Palestinian protests were also triggered by an increase in Jewish visitors to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Palestinians fear that Israel is preparing to allow Jewish prayers in the mosque, which is currently not allowed.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.