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Palestinian teen injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers in West Bank

Xinhua, May 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Palestinian teen was badly injured amidst clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers near the West Bank town of Qalandia, Israeli officials said on Wednesday.

A military spokesperson said that Israeli troops in the village of A'qeb, north of Qalandia, fired warning shots in the air after they were met with "violent riots" during "operational activity," a term usually used to describe raids and arrests.

The spokesperson said Palestinian youths hurled stones and explosive devices at the troops before the force opened fire.

The 17-year-old Palestinian was evacuated to the Sha'arei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem. A spokeswoman for the hospital said he was seriously injured and sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Palestinian media reported that the youth was injured by Israeli fire. There were no reported injuries among the Israeli forces.

The incident came a day after a pipe bomb attack seriously injured an Israeli officer at the Hizma checkpoint, north of Jerusalem.

The incident occurred at around 21:30 (about 18:30 GMT) as the country observed its annual Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.

An initial military inquiry suggested that nine pipe bombs were planted on the road near the entrance to Hizma and were detonated against a force that arrived to check the objects.

According to a military spokesperson, four pipe bombs were causing the injury of the officer and five additional devices were found later in searches at the scene.

Israel blockaded Palestinian territories in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as of Tuesday until Friday, according to a military notice.

Israel believes increased attacks are more likely to occur on Memorial Day by Palestinian militants and regular blockades of the occupied territories take place during that time.

The incident occurred during the seven-month-long Palestinian uprising, which includes frequent stabbings, shootings, and car-ramming attacks.

The attacks killed 28 Israelis, with at least 203 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli fire, mainly during attempted attacks, according to Israel. Endit