Israel Shoots Dead Four Palestinians Following Attempted Stabbings

The Gush Etzion junction has been the site of many knife incidents since October, but it is unusual for such an attack to involve three Palestinians.

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.

On the other hand, the Palestinian Red Crescent said the Israeli army did not allow medics to provide assistance to the three Palestinians, who were left to bleed to death. “The force thwarted the attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death”, the spokesperson added.

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. No soldiers were wounded in either incident.

Furthermore, 16-year-old Khalil Muhammad al-Shalaldah was killed just hours after the three cousins were shot dead by the IOF. At least 20 Israelis have also died in the near daily violence, according to several media outlets.

On Friday morning the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed all entrances leading to Seir town, north of Hebron, before declaring it a closed military zone.

These attempted stabbings are the latest in the recent upsurge of violence in Israel, and follow the deadly shooting in Tel Aviv on January 1 which killed two people.

Four Palestinians were shot dead today after reportedly attacking Israeli troops, according to an army statement.