Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian during a clash in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian witnesses and medical officials said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the soldiers had been on an overnight raid in a village near the city of Jenin, when about 50 Palestinians started hurling hurled rocks at them.

Ahmed Imad Yusef, 21, was shot in the chest during the confrontation, medical workers said. Locals said Yusef was unarmed and worked in a vegetable market.

The military spokeswoman said reports of a Palestinian casualty were being investigated. Violence has been on the rise in recent weeks in the West Bank.

Seven other Palestinians have been shot dead in the territory by Israeli troops and three Israelis have been killed since Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed in July.

PHOTO CAPTION

Israeli soldiers take position during a military operation near the West Bank city of Jenin

Al-Jazeera