Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian boy in West Bank confrontations, health ministry says

QALANDIA, West Bank (Reuters) -A 12-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in confrontations between youths and Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Video from the area of Qalandia showed youths blocking a road with burning tyres, with Israeli army vehicles and ambulances at the scene.

"During counterterrorism activity in Qalandia, a violent riot was instigated in the area, during which rioters hurled blocks and rocks at the forces who were operating in the area, endangering them," said Israel's military in a statement. "The forces responded with riot-dispersal means and live fire toward the rioters. Hits were identified.”

Monday marked the first anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack against Israel, which triggered the war in the Gaza Strip and set off the worst bloodletting in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Violence has surged across the West Bank since last October. Hundreds of Palestinians - including armed fighters, stone-throwing youths and civilian bystanders - have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces.

Dozens of Israelis have been killed in Palestinian street attacks over the past year.

Israel said it was on high alert for attacks on Monday. Movement in the West Bank was further restricted as many checkpoints shut down, residents said and some Palestinians with entry permits received notices on their mobile phones saying they will not be allowed into Israel.

(Reporting by Mohammed Torokman and Ali Sawafta; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Rod Nickel)