A Palestinian man, identified as Udaay Hashim al-Masalma, 24, has been shot and killed during clashes in Beit Awwa, near the Israeli Negohot settlement in the southern Hebron Hills. According to Ma'an News Agency, doctors in Hebron's public hospital confirmed al-Masalma's cause of death as a bullet to the head. IDF Spokesman, Peter Lerner stated that the man was shot after he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier during "violent riots" in Beit Awwa. He added that the Israeli soldier was lightly wounded in the attack. Israeli forces Tuesday morning fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at protesters in Beit Awwa. Forty-four Palestinians and eight Israelis killed since Oct. 1 during a wave of violence which has swept the region following the imposition of entrance restrictions at Al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem. Approximately half of the 44 Palestinians have been killed during clashes with Israeli forces, and the other half after allegedly carrying out knife or shooting attacks against Israelis. It has been stated that many of the Palestinians killed after alleged knife attacks did not pose an immediate threat to those around them when they were shot and killed by Israeli forces. This use of lethal force has been condemned by human rights organisations, with some labeling the killings of Palestinians as "extrajudicial executions."
