Israeli forces kill alleged Shuafat shooter after firefight near Jerusalem
A Palestinian man who allegedly shot dead an Israeli soldier earlier this month was killed on Wednesday after he carried out another shooting targeting Israeli guards at an illegal West Bank settlement, officials said.
Udai Tamimi had been sought by Israeli forces for 11 days after the shooting of army sergeant Noa Lazar at a checkpoint at the entrance to the Shuafat refugee camp in occupied East Jerusalem on 8 October.
Following the shooting, Israeli forces blockaded Shuafat for days and residents were prevented from receiving critical healthcare and basic supplies. Tamimi was believed to be hiding inside the camp, which is cut off from the rest of Jerusalem by Israel's separation wall.
On Wednesday evening, he arrived outside Maale Adumim, the largest illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, built almost entirely on lands belonging to Palestinians. The settlement is about 10km away from Shuafat.
The 22-year-old opened fire at Israeli guards at the entrance of Maale Adumim and was killed in a subsequent exchange of fire. One Israeli guard was wounded from shrapnel but was fully conscious, according to Israeli media.
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The Palestinian news agency Wafa said Tamimi's body had been withheld by Israeli authorities.
Day of mourning
Palestinian groups declared a day of mourning and observed a general strike across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem. Hundreds of people, including armed men, joined marches across Palestinian cities to mourn Tamimi.
The Nablus-based Lions' Den group said early on Thursday that it carried out three attacks against Israeli targets near the city in response to Tamimi's death.
Another armed group in neighbouring Jenin city, called the Jenin Brigade, attacked the Jalamah military checkpoint. No Israeli casualties were reported.
Tensions have been high in recent months in Palestinian cities amid a growing violent Israeli crackdown on renewed armed resistance.
More than 124 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the year in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the heaviest toll in Palestinian territory for nearly seven years, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
At least four Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fire since May.
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