2 Palestinian teens shot dead in separate clashes with Israeli forces

Two Palestinian teens were killed in clashes with the Israeli military on Thursday, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 16-year-old Amir Abu Musaed was shot in the chest during unrest along Gaza's border fence with Israel.

Witnesses said two dozen people approached the fence, setting a tire on fire and throwing stones. The Israeli military said "violent riots" took place along the border fence and that after firing warning shots into the air, troops opened fire at three protesters who "posed a threat" to the security fence and to soldiers.

In the West Bank, the Health Ministry said Ali Omar, 16, was shot in the head amid clashes near the city of Nablus. Naser Qados, Omar's cousin, said soldiers who had erected a checkpoint at the entrance to a village opened fire on protesters who were throwing stones at them.

The military said forces were conducting searches in a neighbouring village for the suspect behind the shooting death this week of an Israeli man when Palestinians hurled a "massive" amount of rocks at them. The military said soldiers fired at the "main instigator."

Palestinians and rights groups have criticized Israel for using excessive force against Palestinian protesters.