Palestinian official slams treatment of Arab passengers

Israeli forces have reportedly demolished a number of Palestinian homes and detained more than a dozen in occupied Palestinian territories over the past few days.

The Israeli military said three Palestinians wielding knives rushed at troops Thursday evening at the Gush Etzion junction near Jerusalem, prompting the soldiers to open fire, killing two of them.

No Israeli soldiers or civilians have been reported injured.

In Israel, prosecutors filed indictments against two Jewish Israelis said to be responsible for an arson attack that killed a Palestinian toddler and his parents past year.

The three are thought to be the relatives of Ahmed Kawazbeh, 18, who was shot dead after allegedly stabbing a soldier at the same junction on Tuesday.

The Palestinian health ministry identified him as Khalil Mohamad Shalaldeh, 16, from the town of Beit Eynoun in the West Bank.

A Palestinian government official told AFP they would be raising the issue with Greek diplomats. Israel says the bloodshed is fueled by a Palestinian campaign of incitement.

Israeli forces or armed civilians have killed at least 136 Palestinians in the same period, 86 of whom authorities described as assailants.

Palestinian citizens’ movement was completely blocked amid heavy presence of Israeli soldiers, the local sources added.

The BBC reports that the attack is the latest in a wave of attacks, mainly stabbings, by Palestinians on Israelis since the start of October, with twenty-two Israelis killed in attacks including stabbings, auto rammings and shootings since that time.