JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) -- Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian farmer in the West Bank Friday as he drove to his cornfield, Palestinian witnesses said.

An army spokesman said the soldiers, on a search operation for militants near the West Bank city of Jenin, killed the driver of a suspicious vehicle outside the village of Qabatia after he ignored shouts and warning shots to stop.

The spokesman said the soldiers had come under fire in the village but no weapon was found later in the vehicle.

Palestinian witnesses said the driver, Ahmad Abdul Qadir Nazal, was a farmer on his way to prepare crops for an early morning shipment. They said he was hit by random shots from the troops after gunmen had fired at them.

The shooting coincided with a high alert for suicide attacks against Israelis following an army assault on militants in the Gaza Strip Wednesday that killed 15 Palestinians and triggered vows of revenge.

Israel tightened restrictions for Friday Muslim prayers at the al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

Police said they received information anti-Israeli protests were planned at the site and decided to ban male worshippers under the age of 45 as a precaution.

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