Two Palestinians shot dead after alleged West Bank attacks

Two Palestinians were shot dead in separate incidents on Thursday after allegedly attempting to attack Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, Israeli authorities said.

The first incident occurred when a Palestinian allegedly stabbed two security guards at the entrance to an industrial zone at the Ariel settlement, the largest in the north of the occupied West Bank.

The second incident was near Hebron in the southern West Bank, where a Palestinian allegedly tried to attack soldiers with a screwdriver.

They were the latest in a wave of attacks that began in October.

Both of the Israeli victims in the first incident were left with moderate wounds, Israeli police said.

Palestinian security sources said the alleged attacker's body was being held by Israeli authorities, and they had not yet been able to identify him.

No Israelis were reported injured in the second incident.

"A Palestinian armed with a screwdriver approached a checkpoint near Hebron and attempted to stab security forces," the Israeli military said in a statement.

"The forces responded to the imminent threat, thwarted the attack and shot the perpetrator, resulting in his death."

Tensions have been high in Hebron, where several hundred Israeli settlers have moved in to live under heavy military guard among the local community of around 200,000 Palestinians.

Israeli settlements are deemed illegal under international law because they are built on Palestinian territories that are occupied by Israel.   

While incidents such as Thursday's have become less frequent in recent weeks, they have continued despite increased Israeli security measures.

On Wednesday at the main tourist entrance to Jerusalem's Old City, an Israeli was stabbed to death and another killed, seemingly by a stray police bullet as officers shot dead the two Palestinian assailants.

A third Israeli was wounded in the stabbing.

A wave of violence that began in October has claimed the lives of 127 people on the Palestinian side, 19 Israelis, a US citizen and an Eritrean.

Many of the Palestinians killed have been alleged attackers, while others have been shot dead by Israeli security forces during protests or clashes.