Civilian killed as Palestinian security forces trade fire with gunmen

RAMALLAH, West Bank – A civilian was killed Tuesday in crossfire between Palestinian security forces and gunmen in the Askar refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, officials and witnesses said.

The forces came under fire when they entered the camp to make an arrest, said Adnan Damiri, a spokesman for the Palestinian security services. Residents burned tires in the streets and set fire to a police vehicle, witnesses said.

The civilian was killed during the heavy exchange of gunfire that followed, Damiri said.

Witnesses described him as a 30-year-old shopkeeper, who was standing near his business when he was shot in the head. Several other people were injured.

Palestinian authorities are investigating the incident, including trying to determine where the fatal shot came from, Damiri said.

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Abukhater is a special correspondent.