Palestinian killed by Israeli fire near Qalandia checkpoint in Jerusalem

By Aysar Alais and Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - A Palestinian was killed on Saturday by Israeli army fire near the Qalandia checkpoint north of occupied Jerusalem with Israeli forces alleging the individual "launched fireworks at their troops near the checkpoint."

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that its teams received the body of a Palestinian in his twenties at Qalandia and transferred him to a nearby hospital.

Earlier, the Red Crescent had stated that it had received a report of an injury at the Qalandia checkpoint, and its medical teams were on their way to the location.

In response, Israeli police claimed that a "suspect" arrived at the checkpoint and launched fireworks directly at security forces stationed there.

It said a security guard, feeling threatened, opened fire and neutralized the suspect.

Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the suspect was a Palestinian who had fired fireworks at the checkpoint and was subsequently neutralized by a security guard.

Tension has been running high in the West Bank due to Israel’s brutal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 44,600 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack last year.

At least 808 Palestinians have since been killed and over 6,450 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.

The escalation follows a landmark opinion in July by the International Court of Justice that declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land "illegal" and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi