An Israeli worshipper who was killed near a flashpoint West Bank shrine on Sunday was shot dead by Palestinian policemen, the Israeli military has said, citing information from Palestinian officials.
One man was killed and four wounded when they came under fire as their cars left Joseph\'s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, Israeli medics said.
"Palestinian officials have notified... (Israeli) officials that the civilians were shot by a Palestinian policeman who, after identifying suspicious movements, fired at their direction," Israel\'s military said.
Medics said one man was in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the stomach, while a second was in moderate condition with a bullet wound to his shoulder. The two others were wounded lightly.
The incident occurred as the worshippers left the tomb, which they had entered unescorted and without permission, the army said.
Joseph\'s Tomb, which is in an area under full Palestinian control, is off-limits to Jewish worshippers outside of military-organised and escorted trips.
The escorted visits, which are coordinated with Palestinian security forces in the area, generally take place about once a month, but religious Jews have regularly visited the tomb without permission.
The Israeli army said that military and civil administration officials would meet with Palestinian security representatives later Sunday to discuss the incident.
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