A Palestinian teenager has been shot and seriously injured by a Jewish settler in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian officials said the boy had been working on his family's land near Madama when he was shot by settlers. There are no reports of any arrests.

The incident took place near the Yitzhar settlement. The boy was later taken to hospital in Nablus.

An Israeli police spokesman said a settler had opened fire after coming under attack by stone-throwers.

The settler was due to be questioned by police, the spokesman told AFP news agency.

Late in 2008, Israeli security officials raised concerns about an increase in violence by settlers.

These attacks targeted both Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank.

There are frequent reports of settlers harassing Palestinians and human rights groups have captured some of these attacks on video, bringing the issue to greater prominence.

All settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.