Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager suspected of having a gun at a protest in the central West Bank on Wednesday, the army said.

According to the military, the 17-year-old, identified as Musab Firas al-Tamimi, was taking part in a violent protest in the village of Deir Nidham, near Ramallah.

Soldiers said he appeared to be holding a gun, prompting them to open fire, the Israel Defense Forces said.

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An army spokesperson said it was not immediately confirmed that al-Tamimi had been armed at the time of the shooting.

“The circumstances are being investigated,” she said.

The military said approximately 30 Palestinian were taking part in the violent protest in Deir Nidham, throwing rocks at Israeli troops.

Al-Tamimi was shot in the neck and critically injured, according to a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent.

He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The West Bank has seen near-daily protests since US President Donald Trump announced that he was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on December 6.