Knife-wielding Palestinian woman shot dead in West Bank

A knife-wielding Palestinian woman was shot dead on Monday when she approached security guards at a crossing in northern West Bank, Israeli officials said.

Palestinian media identified the woman as Rasha Awisi, 23, from Qalqilya, a city west of Nablus.

According to the Israeli ministry of defense, Awisi arrived early Monday morning at the Eliyahu Gate, a goods crossing, brandishing a small-to-medium-sized kitchen knife at security guards.

"The guards called her to stop several times, but she didn't. They shot at her, neutralizing the threat," the ministry of defense said in a statement.

The ministry said they later found in her possession a note to her family, saying she resolved to die for Palestine and asking for their forgiveness.

"I am doing this with a clear head, to defend the homeland and the youth," she was quoted as writing in the note.

"I cannot stand what I am seeing and I cannot suffer anymore," the note read.

The incident came a day after a stabbing attack in the same area that left an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man severely wounded.

At least 75 Palestinians and 12 Israelis have died in the latest wave of violence that has gripped the West Bank and Israel for six weeks. Endit