Two Palestinians die in West Bank violence

Israeli forces shot dead three Palestinians engaged in clashes or attempted attacks in the occupied West Bank today, the latest deaths in a almost two-month wave of deadly violence.

Police and the Palestinian Health Ministry said the driver was the brother of a man who on Sunday had been shot dead in a similar incident nearby.

A senior officer in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has described Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as a “precious coin” because he helps to quash resistance to the occupation, it has been reported in the Israeli media.

At least eight Israeli soldiers were wounded in two separate vehicular attacks in the West Bank.

During a visit to a West Bank settlement that has been the scene of numerous attacks, he also said work permits would be withdrawn from the families of alleged attackers.

Almost-daily Palestinian stabbings, auto rammings and shootings, have killed 19 Israelis and one United States citizen since October 1 and Israeli forces have killed 93 Palestinians, some of whom were carrying out assaults and others in clashes with police and troops. Yaalon said attackers have managed to get through the structure in recent weeks. The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank for part of a future state.

The spokesperson added that the soldiers used a Ruger rifle with 0.22 caliber, used by security forces to disperse riots, considered less lethal than ordinary weapons used by the forces. Both the officer and the official spoke on condition of anonymity because the offer has not been made public. Many of the Palestinians involved in the current round of violence have come from there. Furthermore, construction permits for Palestinians are conditional on global recognition of building in the Israel settlement blocs in the West Bank.

Israel says the unrest stems from incitement by Palestinian leaders.