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Palestinians working in Israel wait to cross the Israeli-controlled Jalama checkpoint on International Labour Day near the West Bank city of Jenin May 1, 2014. REUTERS
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JENIN (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian youth was shot dead Saturday near al-Jalama military checkpoint north of Jenin in the occupied West Bank after he allegedly attempted to stab an Israeli security guard, eyewitnesses and the Israeli army said.

Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that "there were no stabbing attempts" at the time that Israeli forces opened fire at a 16-year-old Palestinian at the crossing.

The forces then dragged the injured youth inside of the checkpoint preventing Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances from reaching him for treatment, eyewitnesses added.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that "an attempted stabbing was thwarted at the Gilboa crossing," using an alternate name for the checkpoint, where "security personnel" shot and killed the suspect to prevent an attack.

The spokesperson was unable to confirm any injuries and said the Israeli military was currently investigating the incident. The crossing has since been closed.

The teen's death at the northern border of the occupied West Bank marks at least 55 Palestinians killed since the beginning of the month.

While at least 28 of those killed were shot dead after carrying out attacks on Israeli military or civilians, several cases have been disputed by eyewitnesses and investigations by rights groups who say the suspects posed no threat at the time of their death.
Video footage of such incidents has raised criticism of what Israeli rights group B'Tselem terms an Israeli policy of "extrajudicial execution," where a "shoot-to-kill" policy advocated by Israeli officials has led to high numbers of unnecessary deaths.

At least nine Israelis have been killed by Palestinians since Oct. 1, leading Israeli authorities to heighten security measures and number of Israeli military personnel and police across the occupied Palestinian territory.