Katharine Lackey

USA TODAY

The U.S. State Department is calling for a "speedy and transparent investigation" after it says an American youth was killed by Israeli forces during clashes in the West Bank.

"The United States expresses its deepest condolences to the family of a U.S. citizen minor who was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces during clashes in Silwad," Jen Psaki, department spokeswoman, said in a statement Friday, adding the agency will remain "closely engaged" with local officials.

"We continue to urge all parties to help restore calm and avoid escalating tensions in the wake of the tragic recent incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank," she added.

A relative identified the teen as 14-year-old Orwah Hammad, born in New Orleans, who has been living in the West Bank since he was 6. His cousin said he was among a group of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military said soldiers "prevented an attack" by opening fire on a Palestinian who was throwing fire-bombs at traffic on a highway Friday evening.

Violence in the region has remained high despite a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in late August. On Wednesday, a 3-month-old girl with American citizenship was killed and eight were wounded when a Palestinian drove his car into a crowd at a Jerusalem light-rail train stop.

Contributing: The Associated Press