IDF soldiers shot and killed a local Arab resident near Hevron on Wednesday, as he attempted to breach Israel's security fence with two accomplices.
"Earlier today three suspects sabotaged the security fence in Deir al-Asal al-Tahta, southwest of Hevron," an IDF spokeswoman told AFP. After the three ignored soldiers' warnings to leave, as well as warning shots in the air, soldiers "fired towards the lower extremities of the main instigator."
The man was evacuated to the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva in critical condition, but died of his wounds shortly thereafter.
The 19-year-old was identified as Yousef Nayif Yousef Shawamrah Abu Akar, from the village of Deir al-Asal al-Fouqa, located south of Hevron in the Judea region, reports Ma'an News Agency.
The incident comes the same day that IDF forces uncovered a weapons cache in the Arab village of Beit Rima, located near Hevron, in the same general area as the shooting. The cache included mortar shells, guns, night-vision equipment, stun grenades, helmets, 15 rubber bullets and army boots.
Meanwhile in Hevron itself, the IDF conducted a special drill on Wednesday, preparing local forces for a simulated situation involving a mass-casualty terror attack leading up to the annual Passover celebrations in the city of the patriarchs, which will take place in mid-April.