Two Palestinians killed in latest West Bank violence

Two Palestinians have been reported killed on Thursday in the latest violence in the occupied West Bank.

A Palestinian was killed after being shot in clashes with Israeli forces, the Palestinian health ministry said.

"Yahya Taha, 21, from the village of Qatanna... died after he was shot and wounded in the head during clashes," the ministry said in reference to an area northwest of Jerusalem.

The ministry said the man died in Ramallah hospital.

The Israeli police meanwhile said a Palestinian was shot dead when he tried to stab an Israeli police officer near Nablus.

"An attacker got out of a taxi with a knife" at Tapuah junction, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement. "Forces responded by firing shots at him, resulting in his death."

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed his death, identifying him as Samer Hassan Siresee, 51.

The deaths bring to 96 the number of Palestinians killed in violence since 1 October, according to the AFP news agency's tally.

About half have been the alleged attackers in a wave of stabbing, shooting and car attacks. Others have died in clashes with Israeli forces.

The violence has also killed 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean.

More than 800 Palestinians have been arrested over the past two months, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon told public radio on Thursday.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has called a day of anger for Friday.