Hawzah News Agency (Occupied Territories of Palestine) - The 18-year-old  Palestinian man was gunned down near a military checkpoint, south of Nablus on Thursday, December ۸. 

The Israeli army claimed that its forces opened fire at the young man as he was trying to stab them with a knife. 

Thursday’s killing brings to 266 the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli troops in the so-called stabbing attacks since October 2015. 

In recent months, Israeli forces have shot and killed a large number of Palestinians across the occupied territories, alleging that they sought to carry out attacks against Israelis. 

International rights groups have long been criticizing the regime for its policy of shoot-to-kill, which they say has led to numerous deaths.   

Many of those killed by Israeli troops at the scene of attacks did not pose serious threats, according to the rights groups.  

The developments come at a time of heightened tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters. 

The occupied territories have witnessed increased tensions ever since Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem al-Quds in August 2015. 

In another development, at least 24 Palestinians were arrested overnight by the Israeli security forces across the West Bank. 

 They were taken away from the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm and al-Khalil as well as the Qalandiyah refugee camp.