Ramallah - A 15-year-old Palestinian critically wounded when Israeli soldiers opened fire on him in the West Bank Monday night, died of his wounds early Tuesday, official Palestinian reports said.

Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, reported that Muhammad Nayef, a resident of Jalazon refugee camp, on the northern outskirts of Ramallah, was seriously wounded when soldiers based at nearby Beit El military camp and settlement opened fire at a group of youths in the area.

The army said the youths were throwing firebombs at the military camp when the soldiers responded with gunfire, wounding three youths, one critically.

Nayef was transported to an Israeli hospital after the soldiers prevented Palestinian medics from attending him. He was declared dead Tuesday morning at the Israeli hospital, said Wafa. (dpa)