Israeli troops shoot dead teen holding toy gun

Israeli soldiers have shot and killed a mentally-handicapped Palestinian man who was holding a toy gun.

Israeli troops from an elite combat unit moved into the northern West Bank town of Qabatiyah to arrest wanted Palestinians.

But before they could carry out their raid they were set upon by stone-throwing Palestinian youths.

Spotting what appeared to be an armed man among them, the soldiers opened fire, killing Mujahed al-Simadi.

But Palestinian witnesses say the 19-year-old was mentally-handicapped and was not holding a rifle, but a toy gun.

Last year in nearby Jenin, Israeli soldiers shot dead a 12-year-old boy who was also holding a plastic rifle.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA