Israel kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank stabbing attack

Israeli military said Tuesday evening that it shot and killed two Palestinian men in the West Bank after they stabbed and moderately wounded an Israeli soldier.

A military spokesperson said the incident took place as Israeli forces approached two suspects at a bus stop in the Gush Etzion Junction, near the main Jewish settlement bloc in the West Bank.

"The suspects attacked a soldier, stabbing and wounding him moderately," the spokesperson said, adding that the troops "responded to the immediate threat with fire towards the attacker."

The incident was the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence, which includes almost daily knife attacks by Palestinians and daily violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian youth protesters.

Since October, 11 Israelis have been killed in attacks, and at least 60 Palestinians were killed in clashes or following stabbing attacks, officials and media said.

The violence erupted a month ago, triggered by increased visits by far-right Jewish leaders to the al-Aqsa compound and fears that Israel is plotting to take over the site.

The site is holy to both Muslims, who know it as the Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews, who know it as the Temple Mount. Endit