21-year-old Palestinian Shot Dead by Israeli Soldiers, Palestinians Say

Yehya Taha was shot in the head by Israeli troops and died later, according to Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Mohammed Awawdeh. He brandished the knife while running toward the soldiers yelling “Allahu akbar”, or God is great, according to police.

Khaled Jawabrah from Al-Arub refugee camp, north of the flashpoint city of Hebron, died after being shot by Israeli forces with a live round as he was about to hurl a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli vehicle, the army said.

On the other hand, 19 Israelis have died in Palestinian stabbing, shooting and vehicular attacks in the past two months, as well as one US national and one Palestinian man. The secretary of state mentioned Schwartz twice by name.

The violence has ensnared some Americans, including Ezra Schwartz, an 18-year-old Yeshiva student from Mr. Kerry’s home state of MA, who was shot dead last week in the West Bank. A Palestinian stabbed an Israeli soldier and was shot dead.

Palestinians seek the recognition of their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, as well as in the Gaza Strip.

Israel says the violence stems from Palestinian incitement and incendiary videos on social media.

On Tuesday, Kerry had hoped to mediate gestures tht would ease tensions in separate talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The deaths were the latest in a two-month wave of violence.

Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank are seen as illegal under global law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts since they are built on land Palestinians see as part of their future state.

Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Abbas called on Israel to commit to the two-state solution and provided Kerry with evidence that Israel is “destroying” that goal through continued settlement construction.

Eliason acknowledged the security problems Israel faces, but reminded the Israeli authorities that using excessive forces feeds anger and frustration and urged the security services of the country to exercise maximum restraint, particularly, for the use of lethal force.