Israeli Man Killed at West Bank Gas Station

Tensions have soared since September.

A Palestinian fatally stabbed an Israeli soldier at a West Bank gas station Monday before being killed along with two other Palestinian attackers.

The violence follow the shooting of three Palestinians on Sunday after civilians and security forces intervened during alleged attacks on Israelis in the occupied West Bank.

The latest round of violence between Israelis and Palestinians ignited early last month after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at a holy site in Jerusalem revered by both Jews and Muslims. He traveled back three months later during a war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

Showing no signs of softening, Netanyahu told Kerry that Israel would fight “every hour” against those committing and inciting violence, linking his government’s efforts to the worldwide campaign against the Islamic State group and other extremist forces.

An 18-year-old Palestinian woman, identified by medical sources as Samah Abdullah, was shot and severely wounded in the same attack, apparently by accident. Kerry lamented 18-year-old Ezra Schwartz’s death as “another young life cut short”.

Netanyahu, for his part, said prior to their meeting that there can be no peace when Israel is facing an “onslaught of terror”.

Meanwhile, the dailies said 16-year-old Alaa Hashash was shot dead by Israeli soldiers at Huwwara junction checkpoint, south of Nablus, allegedly after he attempted to stab an Israeli soldier.

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. The script is well-trodden, with Kerry likely to ask both sides to avoid provocative actions.

Speaking on behalf of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Eliasson warned Israeli authorities that the use of excessive force only further angers and frustrates the Palestinians, calling on them to use maximum restraint, especially in relation to lethal force against Palestinians.

The Palestinians, who have non-member observer status at the United Nations, hold the Solidarity Day annually at the end of November. But the rising death toll seems to have created an environment that makes a similar commitment by President Barack Obama unlikely.

In a statement released to the media, Netanyahu said the army had free rein to enter Palestinian villages, communities, and homes and to carry out widespread arrests to crack down on what Israeli politicians and media have described as a “wave of terror” by Palestinians against Israelis.

Israel’s rescue service says the man suffered moderate wounds.

The Palestinians say the violence is rooted in frustration over almost a half century of Israeli occupation and lack of hope for obtaining independence.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing closed meetings, said that in return for such steps, including approval of building permits for Palestinian projects, Netanyahu demanded worldwide recognition of major Israeli settlement blocs in the West Bank that Israel hopes to keep under a future peace deal.