Scene of Route 443 attack
Scene of Route 443 attackIDF Spokespersons Division

The IDF's military police have opened an official investigation into the fatal shooting along Route 443 early Tuesday morning, which resulted in the death of a Palestinian bystander.

The 15-year-old Arab teen was killed when Israeli soldiers opened fire on terrorists who hurled rocks, bottles and molotov cocktails at motorists traveling along the traffic artery, in a barrage which left three people - an Israeli and two tourists - injured.

The attackers also poured oil on the road in an attempt to cause fatal accidents.

Paramedics treated the victims at the scene, while soldiers gave chase after the attackers.

At one point forces opened fire, killing Mahmoud Rafat Badran and injuring two other Arab youths. It later emerged the three were not believed to have been involved in the attack, and were struck by errant gunfire during the chase. Two suspected attackers were later arrested.

The incident took place near the Palestinian village of Beit Sira, west of Ramallah in Samaria.