A PALESTINIAN TEENAGER has died after sustaining gunshot wounds during Friday’s street clashes in east Jerusalem, raising concerns of increased violence at upcoming protests marking the annual Palestinian day of mourning over Israel’s founding.

Israeli Police spokesman Shmuel Ben Rubi said 17-year-old Milad Said Ayyash suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder in the neighborhood of Silwan on Friday, and died early Saturday. He said the family refused an autopsy to determine the source of the gunfire.

Police have increased their presence in east Jerusalem ahead of protests this weekend, Ben Rubi said.

Jonathan Pollak, an activist who organises protests in the area, said the teen was shot in his stomach near a Jewish settlement enclave in the neighborhood. He suspected he was shot by a settler security guard.

Ha’aretz reports that activists claimed that the bullet removed from Ayyash’s body was that of a gun, not a rifle, which is a weapon predominantly used by security guards.

This Sunday marks the anniversary of Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 – a date referred to as “nakba,” or catastrophe, by the Palestinians, the Washington Post reports.

Additional reporting by AP