"Yussef Sami Shawamreh, 15, was killed by the Israeli army near the separation barrier, close to al-Ramadin village," a Palestinian security source said on Wednesday, indicating that the body was still with the army.

He had no further details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting which he said took place close to the barrier on the south-western edge of the West Bank.

The Israeli army confirmed the shooting but said the incident occurred in a separate location, some 10 kilometers (six miles) to the north.

"He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital where he died of his wounds," a spokeswoman told AFP.

Palestinian sources said the teenager was from the village of Deir al-Asal al-Tahta but insisted the incident had occurred near Al-Ramadin, with the reason for conflicting reports over the location not immediately clear.

BA/BA