Palestinian shot dead after alleged stabbing attack

A Palestinian has been shot dead after an alleged stabbing attack near an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army has said.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 18-year-old Ahmad Hasan Tobeh was killed on Monday by the Salit settlement, south of Tulkarem.

Medical sources told Al Jazeera that Tobeh, who is from Kufr Jamal, south of Tulkarem, was shot at close range five times.

“Soldiers were alerted by a suspect attempting to infiltrate the area of Salit, east of Kfar Saba,” an Israeli army statement said.

“When security forces approached the suspect, he tried to stab them, and, facing an imminent threat, the soldiers shot him.” 

The latest incident comes a day after a Palestinian police officer was killed after allegedly opening fire on Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the illegal settlement of Beit El in the West Bank.

Three Israelis were wounded in the attack.

Protests against Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, have become increasingly violent in recent months.

Since October 1, Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 167 Palestinians, including bystanders, unarmed demonstrators and attackers.

At least 25 Israelis have been killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians.