A Palestinian minister died Wednesday after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers during a mass rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian medical sources said.

The sources confirmed the death of Ziad Abu Ain, minister of settlement, after he was brutally struck by Israeli soldiers who were dispersing a Palestinian anti-settlement protest in Turmos Meya village near Ramallah City.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the incident, describing it as "barbaric assault".

"We cannot stay hands folded at this barbarian act," Xinhua cited him as saying in a short statement published by state-run Wafa news agency.

Abbas added that he would take necessary measures following the investigation of Abu Ain's death, while condemning Israel's ongoing assaults against the Palestinian people.

The Israeli Defence Forces has not made any comment on the incident.