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RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and critically injured a 14-year-old Palestinian during clashes in the Jabal al-Tawil area of al-Bireh City on Tuesday, medics told Ma'an.

Medics said the teen was in critical condition after being shot in the lower stomach with a live bullet.

The 14-year-old was first taken to the Palestine Medical Center and then transferred to the Ramallah Government Hospital for surgery.
An Israeli army spokesperson said "a violent mob approached and attempted to damage the security fence surrounding the community of Psagot, south of al-Bireh," referring to the illegal Israeli settlement.

"In order to prevent an escalation of violence forces called the rioters to halt and disperse and upon the ongoing aggression forces responded and fired against the main instigator and a hit was confirmed."

Clashes erupt near the illegal Israel settlement of Psagot on a near daily basis.

During clashes, Israeli forces fired live and rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters, most of whom are students from Ramallah's high schools and universities.

Clashes began to erupt on a daily basis at the start of October, when a wave of unrest took hold of the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

Upheaval has continued into 2016, but clashes have become less frequent as individual attacks against Israeli military, settlers and civilians have come to the forefront of the uprising.

Since the start of October, thousands of Palestinians have been injured in clashes, and more than 160 Palestinians have been shot dead, most of whom were killed after alleged, attempted or actual attacks against Israelis. During the same time, at least 20 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks.