Published today (updated) 08/01/2011 14:45

NABLUS (Ma'an) --

Israeli occupation soldiers stationed at Al-Hamra checkpoint east of Nablus on Saturday shot and killed a Palestinian man, medics said.

Onlookers identified the victim as 25-year-old Khaldoun Sammoudi, of Al-Yamun village near Jenin.

Palestinian Red Crescent medics said forces initially declared the area a closed military zone and ordered ambulances to stay 300 meters away.

An eyewitness told Ma'an's correspondent that Sammoudi stepped out of a car and approached the checkpoint in a hurry. Some of the soldiers ran away while another soldier ordered Sammoudi to stop and then opened fire at him, the witness said.

As they did before, Israeli soldiers said the victim had a weapon, which turns usually to be a normal object, as what happened with Al-Maslamani, few days ago.

He added that soldiers stripped the man of his clothes and left him to bleed to death.

Onlookers said the occupation soldiers also violently beat a Palestinian man identified as Amir Al-Kharraz at the checkpoint. Al-Kharraz is a guard at a nearby park, witnesses said.

A military spokesman was not aware of the incident.

Less than a week ago soldiers shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian at the same checkpoint. A military spokeswoman said Ahmad Maslamani approached soldiers in an unauthorized lane carrying a glass bottle and did not heed orders to stop. Soldiers followed operational procedure and opened fire, she said.

Witnesses said the victim approached the checkpoint carrying a coca-cola can, a female soldier shouted at him and two male soldiers immediately opened fire. Medics said Maslamani's body was riddled with bullets.

Earlier on Saturday, soldiers closed the Container Checkpoint east of Bethlehem and inspected Palestinian cars.

Following the shooting, Israeli occupation forces erected a flying checkpoint at the entrance to the northern West Bank village of Talluza and inspected all cars and passengers.

Illegal Israeli Settlers Uproot 100 Saplings Near Nablus

Saturday January 08, 2011 10:21 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Illegal Israeli settlers uprooted on Friday at least 100 Olive saplings that belong to residents of Qasra village, southeast of the northern West Bank city of Nablus. The settlers collected the cut saplings and fled the scene.

The attacked orchard is located near the village, and belongs to resident Abdul-Raziq Abdullah Audah.

Ghassan Douglas, in charge of settlements file in the northern part of the West Bank, stated that the settlers came from an illegal outpost known an Extra.

On Thursday, the settlers took by force more than 65 Dunams of Palestinian lands that belong to residents of Ein Jaloud village, near Nablus.

Last month, Jewish settlers occupied hundreds of Dunams of Palestinian orchards and fenced several Palestinian orchards.