Two Palestinian teens killed after entering settlement with 'knives'

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces on Wednesday after infiltrating a West Bank settlement and wounding a settler, the military said.

"Two assailants infiltrated the community of Eli, south of Nablus. They attacked a man outside his home," the army said in a statement.

"Forces arrived... [and] shot the attackers resulting in their death."

The Israeli army spokesperson told Maan news that the two teenagers were armed with "knives and clubs," and that a gun was also located "in the vicinity".

Both of the alleged attackers were 17-year-old students from the nearby village of Qaryut who reportedly went missing after evening prayers.

The Israeli, who is being treated in hospital, was said to have come out of his house in a military uniform as he was due to report for reserve duty.

Settlements are deemed illegal under international law but Israeli authorities have continued to build and expand them despite widespread condemnation from the international community. 

A wave of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories since early October has killed 180 Palestinians as well as 28 Israelis, an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP toll.

Most of the Palestinians who died in the violence were killed by Israeli forces while allegedly carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks. Others were shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes or demonstrations.