Palestinian presidency condemns Israeli killing of youth RAMALLAH, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency condemned on Thursday the killing of a Palestinian youth by Israeli forces during a raid in northern West Bank. A statement from President Mahmoud Abbas' office described the killing of 20-year-old Ahmed Taza'ra as "cold-blooded." "This assassination coincides with an increase in the rhythm of settlement expansion, which is illegal according to the international law," the statement said, referring to Israeli settlement construction in East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank. The Israeli raids and the building of settlements "destroy the peace process," the statement said. Earlier in the morning, a medical spokesperson said that Taza' ra was shot in the chest and died. The Israeli army said that its forces arrested four Palestinians in a raid on Qabatiya, a town near Jenin. Palestinian youths hurled rocks at the troops, prompting the soldiers to use anti-riot weapons in response. According to Israel Radio, the army has opened an investigation into the shooting of Tazar'a, the third Palestinian to be killed in such raids in the West Bank this month. Meanwhile, the Israeli army arrested three senior Hamas officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Palestinian youth killed in West Bank clashes RAMALLAH, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A young Palestinian man was shot dead early on Thursday in clashes with an Israeli army force in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, medics and witnesses said. Medics in the city said that Ahmed Taza'ra, 20, was dead after an Israeli soldier shot him in the chest. Witnesses and local sources said that an Israeli army force overnight stormed the town of Qabatya which is close to Jenin, adding that the soldiers opened fire at the residents who threw stones at them, and detained four residents, including a 60-year- old man.Full Story Deals linked to settlements in occupied Palestinian territories could be "criminal," UN expert warns UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- An independent UN human rights expert on Wednesday warned that financial institutions and real estate companies involved with housing settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, which are considered illegal under international law, may be held criminally accountable. Addressing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, the special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, reiterated that the settlements are unlawful according to the Fourth Geneva Convention. In pictures: Israel releases 26 Palestinian prisoners A Palestinian man embraces new life after 23 years in Israeli jail GAZA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Damouni, a Palestinian jailed by Israel since adolescence, is now released a 40-year-old man with gray hair. He is among the 26 Palestinian prisoners released on Tuesday night, part of an Israeli goodwill gesture to free 104 Palestinian prisoners, a deal brokered by the United States to resume direct peace talks after a hiatus of three years.