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Violent clashes between local Palestinian residents and Israeli security forces took place in several East Jerusalem neighbourhoods after a 16-year-old died having been shot in a riot a week ago.

Yesterday afternoon, demonstrators in Wadi Joz near the Old City threw rocks, firebombs and flares at passing cars, prompting riot police to respond with rubber bullets during several hours of violence. The French Hill neighbourhood became a focal point for violence later in the evening, after two firebombs were thrown at a petrol station and rioters broke into a convenience store, causing heavy damage.

Meanwhile, an Israeli was injured in the A-Tur neighbourhood after Palestinians stoned his car. Police also dispersed crowds in Issawiya, near Mount Scopus, who had gathered to demonstrate. In Shuafat, crowds attacked the city’s light rail system. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement shortly before midnight, that he was working closely with police to “take strong measures against rioters” and prevent further damage.

The immediate trigger to the unrest was the death yesterday of 16-year-old Mohammed Sunuqrut, who was shot a week ago during a riot in Wadi Joz, but only yesterday succumbed to his wounds. His family claim he was shot in the head by Israeli forces, but Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, “He was struck in the leg, and when he attempted to run away fell and hit his head on the ground.” Sunuqrut’s body has reportedly been taken to a Tel Aviv morgue for an autopsy to be carried out by a Palestinian doctor in the presence of an attorney.

Yesterday’s violence is just the latest flashpoint in Jerusalem following two months of high tension. In July, serious clashes broke out following the murder of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khedir, who was killed by Jewish Israeli extremists in an act of revenge for the murder of three Israeli teenagers whose bodies were discovered the previous week.