Palestinian child Adam Essam Ayyad, 15, was shot dead by Israeli occupation soldiers during an aggression on Bethlehem at dawn today. Photo circulated on Twitter
The health ministry announced "the death of the child Adam Essam Shaker Ayyad, 15, with a bullet in the chest fired by the occupation soldiers during the aggression on Bethlehem at dawn today."
Israel's military claims rocks and Molotov cocktails were thrown at border police officers during an operation in the Dheisheh refugee camp.
"The forces fired toward Molotov cocktails (sic) hurlers who risked their lives, hits were identified," the army said in a statement.
The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported clashes erupted when Israeli forces entered Dheisheh, in the southern occupied West Bank, to search houses.
Dheisheh camp, one of many refugee camps in the West Bank that were established in 1949 as home for Palestinians who fled their homes during the 1948 war, is located along the main street in Bethlehem.
Ayyad is the third Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the start of the year.
On Monday two Palestinian men were shot dead in the northern city of Jenin, when clashes broke out as the army demolished the homes of two Palestinians accused of killing an Israeli soldier in September.
More than 150 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army in raids on Palestinian towns and villages and clashes last year.
Meanwhile, 26 Israelis were killed during the same period.
In December, the United Nations said 2022 was the deadliest year in the West Bank since its records began in 2005.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online
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