Row over what led to shooting of Palestinian woman by Israeli forces at checkpoint

A row has broken out regarding the circumstances of the death of a Palestinian woman who was shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday.

The Israeli military says the 18-year-old student, named as Hadeel al-Hashlamun, was shot after attempting to stab a soldier at a checkpoint, something her family vehemently deny.

She was taken to an Israeli hospital where she was later declared dead.

In a statement, the Israel Defence Force said Hahlamun had set off a metal detector as she approached the checkpoint, arousing suspicion. After being told to stop, she walked towards the soldiers pulling out a knife.

But a local activist group, Youth Against Settlements deny that she was armed, claiming she was shot after refusing to be searched by male Israeli soldiers. She then tried to walk to the exit.

Photos posted on the group's Facebook page show a soldier aiming his rifle at a woman, said to be Hashlamun. A second image shows a man in civilian clothes, speaking to the woman as the rifles remain pointed at her.

Video footage posted on social media appear to show the woman being dragged by the feet by the soldier's after being shot several times. Another shows the content of her handbag, which the group say did not include a knife.

The Israel Defence Force has since produced an image of the weapon they claim led to the shooting.

Local media outlets reported clashes following her funeral on Wednesday, with around 50 Palestinian youths throwing stones at soldiers who responded with stun grenades and tear gas.

Israeli forces have been on high alert in Jerusalem with travel between the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Israel restricted until the end of Yom Kippur at midnight on Wednesday.