Four Palestinians have been shot dead in the West Bank today, as they reportedly tried to stab Israeli soldiers.
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According to a military spokesperson, three knife-wielding Palestinians arrived at the Gush Etzion Junction, a major crossroad in a Jewish settlement bloc in the West Bank, on Thursday night.
The circumstances of several Palestinian deaths have been disputed, with investigations by rights groups into a number of cases concluding that Israeli forces were implementing extrajudicial executions against Palestinians who posed no threat at the time of their death.
“Three attackers, armed with knives, attempted to stab soldiers guarding the Gush Etzion junction”, an Israeli military statement said.
Violence has also been triggered by Muslim anger over stepped-up Israeli visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, including by ultranationalist politicians.
On Jan. 3, Israeli passengers on a plane in Greece forced the crew to kick off two Palestinian citizens of Israel, according to reports in the Israeli media.
Israeli soldiers are already equipped with helmets and bullet proof vests, but neither covers the vulnerable neck area, which has become the point on the body that many attackers have aimed for.
Twenty-two Israelis have been killed in attacks including stabbings, auto rammings and shootings since 1 October.
Shalaledeh’s brother, Mohammad Shalaldeh, died after clashes with Israeli forces in November.
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A Palestinian official criticized on Wednesday the treatment of two Arab passengers who disembarked from an Israel-bound flight after other travelers complained of security concerns. Palestinians say it stems from frustration at decades of occupation.
