Israeli paramilitary police were on high alert in Jerusalem during final prayers of the holy month of Ramadan.. Palestinians had gathered at Jerusalem’s most important mosque as Israel’s ongoing offensive against Gaza militants entered its 18th day.

As prayers ended tension flared and dozens of Palestinians clashed with security forces. There were no reports of any fatalities.

But in the occupied West Bank on Friday witnesses and medics said five Palestinians were killed in shootings involving both Israeli forces and a civilian who appeared to be a Jewish settler.

Three were killed near the city of Hebron in clashes with Israeli forces shooting live bullets and protesters throwing stones.

In another incident during a protest witnesses said a person in a car, believed to be a settler shot dead one person and wounded three others near the city of Nablus.

A media source said a further person was shot dead by Israeli border police when fighting with the border guards escalated.

The Israeli police said it was investigating the violence.