Palestinian killed by Israeli army at checkpoint in southern Nablus

Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man at the Zaatara checkpoint in southern Nablus Thursday, witnesses told Ma'an.

The 20-year-old man from Nablus was shooting fireworks at Israeli soldiers, who responded by shooting the Palestinian to death, witnesses added.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli army said that soldiers opened fire on a man in Tapuah near the Israeli settlement of Ariel, confirming hits.

She said that the man was carrying "an improvised weapon" and firing it repeatedly, and that Israeli forces shot him "to prevent causalities."

The spokeswoman said she had no information about the man's current condition.

Witnesses said that directly following the shooting, a large group of Israeli soldiers gathered at the checkpoint, which was closed.

The man's body currently remains at the checkpoint, locals added