Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts

A Palestinian grave-digger prays by his friend's grave at Sheikh Redwan graveyard in Gaza City January 13, 2009. In 18 days of war, nearly 1,000 Gazans have died, many of them civilians.The big Sheikh Redwan graveyard, like others in the city of Gaza, is packed with white stone tombstones and a sign on the wall outside tells families in plain terms: "Cemetery Full".(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

     JERUSALEM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli settler in the West Bank on Tuesday shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly threw stones at his vehicle, local news service Ynet reported.

    The shooter initially informed security authorities that Palestinians hurled stones and rocks at his vehicle, and that he fired warning shots in the air and left the scene, said the report, adding that the shooter did not report any injuries.

    An army unit found two Palestinians at the scene, with one in critical conditions and the other unhurt, and the injured was later pronounced dead by a rescue team, according to the report.

    Israeli authorities have identified the shooter and an investigation is underway, said the report.

    Earlier in day, an Israeli soldier shot dead a Palestinian near the West Bank city of Hebron when the latter was allegedly trying to snatch a weapon from the soldier, reported local daily Ha'aretz.

    While clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have been frequently reported in the West Bank, where reside some 30,000 Jewish settlers, the latest incidents came against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

    The 18-day-old offensive, dubbed Operation Cast Lead, has killed over 950 Palestinians in the coastal strip, and has further strained the already tense relations between the two neighbors.