The body of Naji Balbisi, 17, a cousin of 16-year-old Amer Nassar who was also shot dead in a clash at a military roadblock at Tulkarem in the north of the Palestinian territory, was discovered on Thursday morning.

Tensions have risen rapidly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as Palestinians protested against the death of cancer-stricken Maysara Abu Hamdeya, on Tuesday, who was serving a life sentence in an Israeli jail.

A spokesman for the Israel Prison Service said that some 4,600 prisoners had refused their breakfast on Wednesday in protest against the death of Hamdiah.

Following the report of Abu Hamdiah’s death, acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas said he held the Israeli regime responsible for the death of the 64-year-old inmate, stating that Tel Aviv had refused requests by the Palestinian Authority to free the ill prisoner.