Thousands mourn 'tortured' prisoner

Masked Palestinian fighters fired in the air and mourners chanted: "We sacrifice our souls and blood for you, our martyr."

Israeli troops on high alert took up positions outside Mr Jaradat's home village of Se'eer, but they ignored the bursts of automatic fire from the masked Palestinians.

Palestinian officials say that autopsy results show Mr Jaradat was tortured by Israeli interrogators.

Israeli officials claim that there's no conclusive cause of death.

The Israeli military said that dozens of Palestinians had thrown stones at its soldiers in various parts of the occupied West Bank today.

Troops responded with tear gas and stun grenades, but no serious injuries were reported.

Mr Jaradat's death comes at a time of rising tensions in the West Bank.

Israeli Homeland Minister Avi Dichter claimed that another uprising could begin if confrontations with protesters turned deadly.

"The previous two intifadas … came about as a result of a high number of dead during protests," Mr Dichter said.

"Fatalities are almost a proven recipe for a sharper escalation."

Mr Dichter said Israel had to tread carefully in dealing with protests, accusing the Palestinians of trying to portray themselves as victims before US President Barack Obama's visit to the region next month.

But President Mahmoud Abbas retorted that he will not allow a third intifada.

"The Israelis want chaos.

"We will not allow them to mess with the lives of our children and our youth," he said in Ramallah.