By Anees Bargouthi

RAMALLAH, (AA): A Palestinian man was shot dead Friday after approaching a group of Israeli soldiers in Israeli-occupied West Bank.

According to Israeli media, unarmed Palestinian was killed after he approached an Israeli checkpoint at the entrance of Silwad village northeast of Ramallah city.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency the Israeli army had prevented Red Crescent medics from even approaching him to provide him with the urgently needed aid.

Palestinian Health Ministry, for its part, said mentally disabled Iyad Hammed, 38, a father of three, was killed after four bullets struck his body.

The Palestinian died from his wounds before the soldiers placed him in a black bag, and took his corpse away.

The WAFA Palestinian News Agency said Hamed was with special needs.

According to Palestinian figures, close to 336 Palestinians have been killed since the current uptick in Israeli-Palestinian violence began last October.

Israel, for its part, claims 40 Israelis have been killed over the same period.
Additional reporting by The Muslim News

[Photo: Iyad [Eyad] Hammed. Photo from Imemc]