Palestinian shot dead for alleged stabbing attack in West Bank

Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man Tuesday after he allegedly tried to stab Jewish commuters at a busy junction in the West Bank, Israeli officials said.

A military spokesperson said that the Palestinian man, armed with a knife, attempted to stab Jewish civilians at the Gush Etzion Junction, a major crossroad in a Jewish settlement bloc.

The soldiers opened fire and killed him at the scene, police said, giving no additional details on his identity.

Israel's emergency services said that an Israeli man in his 40s was slightly wounded in his hand during the incident.

Last week, a 21-year-old Israeli woman was stabbed to death at the same junction.

Nineteen Israelis have died in stabbing, shooting and vehicular attacks by Palestinians during the past two months. Victims also included a U.S. national and a Palestinian man.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed during this period, some in clashes with Israeli security forces, while others after allegedly trying to carry out attacks.

Human rights organizations have been increasingly accusing Israeli security forces of using excessive force while subduing Palestinian suspects.

While Israeli right wing politicians blame the Palestinian National Authority and Palestinian media outlets for inciting unrest, Palestinian officials blame Israel for its 50-year occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, where they wish to establish a Palestinian state in accordance with the two-state solution. Endit