RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) – An Israeli settler shot dead a 14-year-old Palestinian youth after his car was stoned in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian security sources and activists said on Friday.

Ayssar Yasser, 14, from Mazra ash Sharqiya, near Ramallah, died on the spot, security sources said.

They said Yasser was killed after stones were thrown at the settler’s car, but pro-Palestinian activists said the teenager was not among those throwing stones.

Youths were throwing stones towards Route 60 when a settler got out of his car and shot in their direction. The youths ran away, unaware that Yasser, “who wasn’t with them and did not participate in the stone throwing, was hit,” the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee said in a statement.

“According to his uncle, his lifeless body was found lying face down on the ground with a bullet hole in his back,” it said.

Israeli police said the teenager’s death was being investigated.

A military spokesman said “shots were fired after stones were thrown at an Israeli car,” and stressed the army was not involved.

Israeli settlers, many of whom are armed, often open fire at Palestinians who hurl stones at them.