Palestinian shot dead in alleged West Bank axe attack
A Palestinian was shot dead after an alleged axe attack on an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said, ending a three-week lull in deadly incidents.
The soldier was lightly wounded in the incident, which occurred near al-Arroub refugee camp between Hebron and Bethlehem, the AFP news agency reported.
The Palestinian health ministry identified the man killed as 45-year-old Ibrahim al-Gharooz Baradeah.
Several Palestinians were on a hill above the road where an Israeli soldier was standing after the incident, adding to tensions at the scene.
"The Palestinian youth were throwing stones and other objects at one soldier," a witness told Middle East Eye. "Two other soldiers then came over and together the three soldiers started shooting tear gas at the youths.
"A minibus was stopped and three soldiers stood outside and one pointed their gun through the window at the taxi driver. It was very tense."
Several cars filled with settlers were nearby, one of whom got out and stood with the soldiers, the witness added.
A wave of violence that erupted in October has killed at least 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis. Two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have also been killed.
Many of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities, but others were shot dead by Israeli forces during protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has faced accusations of using excessive force in response to some of the attacks, although it denies doing so.
On 24 March, an Israeli soldier was caught on video shooting a Palestinian assailant in the head as he lay on the ground wounded after stabbing another soldier minutes earlier.
The soldier in question was charged with manslaughter over the killing.
The attacks have steadily declined in recent weeks, though there are concerns that the Jewish Passover holiday beginning 22 April will lead to a re-escalation.
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