Israeli officer held over killing

An angry funeral for Ahmed Musa took place under a tight security clampdown

Israel has placed a border policeman under house arrest over his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a Palestinian boy in the West Bank.

Police said the officer would be held for five days during the inquiry into the incident last week.

Twelve-year-old Ahmed Musa was shot dead in Nilin, west of Ramallah, during a protest against the barrier Israel is building in the West Bank.

Palestinian officials said he had been shot with a live bullet at close range.

Israeli police began investigating the incident after an initial inquiry by the military and border police found that the boy had been killed by Israeli security forces who opened fire to disperse the crowd of protesters.

Eyewitnesses said Ahmed Musa was among a group watching Israeli bulldozers at work on the barrier, Israeli media reported.

'Land grab'

The planned route for Israel's barrier threatens to separate Nilin from hundreds of hectares of olive groves. In addition, the Israeli army is replacing the main access road to the village with a tunnel under military control.

Daily demonstrations there frequently turn into clashes between residents and Israeli soldiers and border police, who usually use tear gas and rubber-coated bullets rather than live ammunition.

Israeli officials said they would deploy anti-riot units at Nilin in future to deal with the protests.

Israel says the half-built barrier, projected to stretch for 723km (454 miles) around and within the West Bank, is needed for security.

Palestinians say it is intended to grab large parts of the West Bank, which was occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.