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Palestinian man shot dead after stabbing Israeli soldier

Israeli authorities say 18-year-old killed in attack at Gush Etzion junction in occupied West Bank
Gush Etzion junction in the occupied West Bank, 5 January (AFP)
By AFP

A Palestinian teenager was shot dead after stabbing and wounding an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said.

"An assailant stabbed a soldier at the Gush Etzion junction," a statement said on Tuesday. "Forces at the scene responded to the attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death. The victim is receiving emergency medical treatment."

A spokesman for Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said a 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with stab wounds to his face and hand.

The Palestinian health ministry named the attacker as Ahmed Kawazbeh, 18, from Sair, a village northeast of Hebron.

Twenty-two Israelis, an American and an Eritrean have been killed in Palestinian attacks including stabbings, car rammings and gunfire targeting security forces and civilians since 1 October.

At the same time, 139 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, most while carrying out attacks.

Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces arrested a young Palestinian in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, who had been feared to be on his way to attack Israelis, police said.

Ahmad Khatib, 20, from the village of Sur Baher near Jerusalem, had stormed out of his home on Tuesday morning after an argument with his father, threatening to commit an attack. 

His car and phone were found in Herzliya and, after being spotted in the centre of the coastal city, police arrested him for questioning.

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