Fatal clash in West Bank

At least three Palestinians were shot dead and over 15 Palestinians sustained injuries in a clash with Israeli security forces on Monday, according to security and health officials.

Violence erupted in the West Bank's Qalandiya refugee camp (pictured) - roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Jerusalem - early on Monday while Israeli troops were conducting a raid aimed at apprehending a terror suspect, according to the border police.

Roughly 1,500 Palestinians took to the streets and began throwing stones and firebombs at the Israeli troops, who then responded with "riot dispersal means," according to Israeli police spokesperson Luba Samri.

Border police spokesperson Shai Hakimi also said that Israeli forces had used rubber bullets and tear gas, but could not confirm they had used live ammunition.

The turmoil came less than a week after Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met for a third round of peace talks. The two sides resumed negotiations this summer aimed at settling disputes over the borders of a future Palestinian state and Israel's internationally-condemned settlement projects in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as other contentious issues hindering long-term peace efforts. Both sides have agreed to a media blackout on the talks as a mutual trust-building process.

kms/pfd (AP, AFP, dpa)