Palestinian farmer is shot dead

More than 50 were wounded in Wednesday's raids

Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian farmer as he drove to work, Palestinian witnesses have said.

Ahmad Nazal was travelling to his field in the West Bank village of Qabatia when he was killed by Israeli soldiers responding to gunfire, witnesses said.

An Israeli army spokesman told Reuters that soldiers shot the driver of a suspicious vehicle after he ignored warning shots and shouts to stop.

The death comes two days after 15 Palestinians were killed in Gaza raids.

Deadly raids

Nazal was reportedly on his way to prepare crops for an early shipment in Qabatia, near Jenin, when he was killed, witnesses said.

Rescue workers told the Associated Press news agency that he was not armed.

Meanwhile, Israel is spending a second day on high alert following Wednesday's two Gaza incursions by Israeli forces.

Police have increased their presence in crowded places such as Jerusalem's Old City, where they tightened restrictions for Muslim prayers at al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli media reported.

On Wednesday 12 Palestinians died when a gun battle broke out as Israeli army units advanced into the eastern part of Gaza City.

Fifty Palestinians were also injured in the raid.

Israel said the raid was aimed at stopping mortar attacks on Jewish settlements in the area.

In another incident near Rafah, three men died in what the Israeli army said was an operation to find secret tunnels.