Palestinian woman shot dead by Israeli army

Israeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian woman whom they accused of attempting to stab a soldier at a military checkpoint in the northern occupied West Bank.

Ansar Hussam Harasha, a 25-year-old mother of two, was killed by soldiers in Tulkarem governorate near the Palestinian village of Anabta, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an that that no Israelis were injured.

Peter Lerner, a military spokesman, posted on Twitter that Harasha had a knife and “tried to stab” a soldier.

“Forces responded to threat and shot the attacker, resulting in her death,” he wrote.   

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the shooting to Ma’an.

The Israeli army has been accused of using excessive force in dealing with alleged attacks by Palestinians.

Since October 1, Israeli forces or settlers have killed 200 Palestinians, including unarmed demonstrators, bystanders and attackers. 

Meanwhile, Palestinian attackers have killed at least 28 Israelis, mostly in stabbing attacks.

Palestinians are frustrated by Israel’s 48-year occupation and with peace talks going nowhere.

The latest cycle of violence began with a dispute over access to the site of the al-Aqsa Mosque – sacred to both Jews and Muslims.