The deaths of three Palestinians at the hands of Israeli security forces over the past week have contributed to a huge increase in tension in the West Bank.

The funeral of one of the dead, Mohammed Abu Latifa, an 18-year-old who was killed during an Israeli arrest operation in the Qalandiyah refugee camp, was followed by Palestinian rioting on Monday night. A number of Israeli border policemen and Palestinians were wounded during the clashes at the Qalandiyah checkpoint.

Thousands of Palestinians participated in Abu Latifa's funeral procession from a Ramallah hospital to the refugee camp.

Meanwhile, Palestinian rioters threw rocks, firebombs and firecrackers at Israeli police officers on Temple Mount on Sunday morning, as Jews were marking Tisha b'Av. Three rioters from eastern Jerusalem were arrested.

Interior Minister Silvan Shalom met senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat over the weekend in a bid to calm tensions between the two sides.