4 Palestinians shot dead in 2 attempted stabbing attacks in West Bank: Israeli army
Xinhua, January 8, 2016 Adjust font size:
Israeli soldiers on Thursday shot and killed four Palestinians who tried to carry out two separate stabbing attacks in the West Bank, the latest in a three-month wave of violence.
On Thursday night, a Palestinian attempted to stab Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the city of Hebron, a military spokesperson said. "The force thwarted the attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death," the spokesperson added.
Earlier Israel troops opened fire at three Palestinians who allegedly tried to stab them at the Gush Etzion Junction, a major crossroad in a Jewish settlement bloc in the West Bank. The soldiers shot and killed three assailants and severely injured another one.
No Israelis were injured in either incident.
Frequent stabbing, shooting, and car-ramming attacks by Palestinians have killed 23 Israelis and a U.S. citizen since mid-September.
Meantime Israeli security forces and armed civilians have killed at least 139 Palestinians, mostly when in attacks or attempted assaults.
Israel has been accusing the Palestinian Authority of "inciting" the recent violence, while the Palestinians say it is a result of 49 years of Israeli control of their lands. Endit