The top United Nations human rights official says Israel must investigate and curb the rising injuries and deaths occurring during Palestinian protests.

Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said Friday the problem was highlighted by the death on Wednesday of a senior Palestinian official during a confrontation with Israeli troops.

Palestinians blame Israel for the sudden death of Ziad Abu Ein. Israeli pathologists said the 55-year-old died of a heart attack.

Zeid said the death, along with the serious wounding of a 14-year-old Palestinian boy reportedly shot by Israeli security forces, should be properly investigated.

According to Zeid's office, at least 50 Palestinians have died in incidents involving Israeli security forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, almost twice as many as the previous year.

