Three Palestinian teenagers have been shot and killed while attempting to attack Israeli security forces in two separate incidents in the West Bank.
In the first incident, two Palestinians were throwing rocks at passing vehicles near the West Bank city of Jenin, the military said on Sunday. When forces arrived at the scene, one of the Palestinians opened fire at soldiers who fired back, killing two Palestinians.
The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two Palestinians as Nihad Waked and Fouad Waked, both 15. They were from the same extended family in the West Bank village of al-Araka, near Jenin, but were not close relatives.
Later, at a West Bank security checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a Palestinian gripping a knife ran at Israeli paramilitary border police officers, and an officer shot and killed him, Israeli police said. No Israeli officers were wounded. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the Palestinian as 17-year-old Naim Safi of Abadiya village near Bethlehem.
In the last five months, Palestinian stabbings, shootings and vehicular assaults have killed 27 Israelis. At least 160 Palestinians, the majority of whom Israel says were attackers, have been killed by Israeli fire.
Israel says the ongoing violence is fuelled by a campaign of incitement by Palestinian leaders that is compounded on social media sites that glorify attacks. Palestinians say it stems from frustration at nearly five decades of Israeli rule and dwindling hopes for gaining independence.
