Third Palestinian killed in West Bank clashes with Israeli army

A Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes north of Hebron in the West Bank, the third Palestinian killed on Thursday, amid the ongoing violence in the country.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Xinhua that soldiers shot at the 19-year-old, identified by Palestinian media outlets as Mahmoud al-Jawabreh, as he was about to throw a firebomb at the forces in clashes on Route 60 in the West Bank.

The spokesperson added that the soldiers used a Ruger rifle with 0.22 caliber, used by security forces to disperse riots, considered less lethal than ordinary weapons used by the forces.

A 21-year-old Palestinian was killed earlier in the day during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank Palestinian town of Qatanna, 12 km northwest of Jerusalem.

The Israeli army said clashes erupted during a military operation in the town, claiming local residents threw stones and firebombs at the force, and that soldiers reciprocated with riots dispersal means, including live fire.

In another incident on Thursday, Israeli border police officers shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab an officer at the Tapuach Junction, south of Nablus in the West Bank, Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement.

According to the police, the 51-year-old Samir Seresi left his car and tried to stab an officer with a knife, and officers at the scene shot him. No Israelis were reportedly injured.

On a related matter, Palestinian security officials were quoted by the Hebrew-based Walla! news website as saying that they have managed to thwart about 100 attacks that Palestinians planned to carry out against Israelis in the past two months.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing two-month wave of violence, Palestinian Health Ministry officials told Xinhua. While some were killed in clashes with Israeli security forces, others were killed by Israeli security forces and vigilante citizens while allegedly trying to carry out attacks.

On the other hand, 19 Israelis have died in Palestinian stabbing, shooting and vehicular attacks in the past two months, as well as one U.S. national and one Palestinian man.

The violence was sparked following unrest surrounding the east Jerusalem flashpoint site of the al-Aqsa mosque, holy to both Jews and Muslims, and spread out to outbursts of violence throughout Israel and the Palestinian territories.

While Israeli officials blame Palestinian incitement for the current wave of violence, Palestinian officials blame Israel for the 50-year occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip territories, where they wish to establish their own state, according to the two-state solution. Endit