At least 97 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in recent violence. The terrorist was immediately shot by security forces and died at the scene.
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Several weeks ago, an Israeli security crackdown in Jerusalem, including roadblocks in Palestinian neighbourhoods, was followed by a lull in attacks in the city, but violence has recently returned.
The latest attack raises the death toll to 102 Palestinians killed since early October. “It might escalate and therefore we need to prepare”, Yaalon was quoted as saying by the Army Radio’s website.
The assailant was shot and killed at the scene of the incident on Route 60 near the Palestinian town of Beit Umar, located south of Jerusalem between Bethlehem and Hebron.
Two Palestinians rammed vehicles into Israeli soldiers in separate attacks in the occupied West Bank on Friday and were then shot dead, Israeli police and military said.
The Palestinian, aged around 38 from the northern West Bank, allegedly lunged at a pair of border policemen, stabbing one in the neck as he shouted “God is Great” in Arabic, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency medical service said the two soldiers were taken to hospital in Jerusalem with light to moderate injuries.
Times of Israel reported that it remains unknown if the majority of the PLO Palestine National Council is in favour of cancelling Israel’s recognition, as some fear that this will escalate even more the tension between the two sides.
The current wave of violence was sparked by strife over the flashpoint site of the al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, holy to both Jews and Muslims, and quickly spread to outbursts of violence throughout the country and Palestinian territories.
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Palestinians say demonstrations stem from a lack of hope for gaining independence after years of failed peace efforts.
