Palestinian killed in West Bank raid

Palestinian killed in West Bank raid September 17, 2013 4:01 PM Clashes erupted as troops tried to arrest the suspect A Palestinian militant has been shot dead by Israeli troops in a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Jenin. An Israeli army spokesman said Islam Tubasi was hit when troops returned fire after being attacked by rioters. Tubasi's family say he was shot when troops entered their home. The militant group Islamic Jihad said Tubasi was one of its members. Last month, another Palestinian was shot dead when Israeli troops clashed with rioters during an arrest in Jenin. In the latest incident, the Israeli military says rioters threw stones, Molotov cocktails and improvised grenades as troops tried to arrest the suspect. A spokesman said soldiers opened fire after being shot at. The officials said Tubasi was shot as he tried to flee. Tubasi's family have disputed this account, saying the 22-year-old was shot when soldiers entered the family home. Palestinian Maan news agency quoted Tubasi's brother, Mustafa, as saying troops shot Tubasi in his leg before dragging him outside, at which point Mustafa Tubasi said he heard more gunshots. Tubasi was taken to a hospital in Israel, where he died, the Israeli military spokesman said. Relaxing restrictions An Israeli government official meanwhile has confirmed details of a package of measures Israel is proposing to ease conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. It includes issuing extra work permits for Palestinians from the West Bank to find jobs in Israel and more water for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967; Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza eight years ago although it maintains control of Gaza's airspace and territorial waters and restricts movement across its shared border. Israel says the restrictions are necessary security measures to prevent attacks by Palestinian militants. Under the proposed new arrangements, 6.5% more work permits will be issued on top of the current 75,000. Seven-and-a-half per cent more water will be made available in the West Bank and a new pipeline to Gaza will be built. Restrictions on building materials allowed into Gaza - limited to prevent their use in building military bunkers - will also be eased. Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which governs in the West Bank, resumed peace talks last month after a three-year hiatus. There are no relations between Israel and the Islamist Hamas government in Gaza. BBC © 2013