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Israeli Soldiers Kill 2 Palestinians Attempting Knife Attack


Parents of Palestinian Mohanad Al-Halabi inspect their house after it was demolished by Israeli troops in the village of Surda, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Jan. 9, 2016.
Parents of Palestinian Mohanad Al-Halabi inspect their house after it was demolished by Israeli troops in the village of Surda, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Jan. 9, 2016.

The Israeli military says two Palestinians were shot dead after trying to stab soldiers at a checkpoint in the West Bank.

A spokeswoman said the attack occurred in the north of the Jordan Valley.

It was the latest in a series of attacks over the past three months that include stabbings, gunfire and car rammings by Palestinians targeting Israeli forces.

Also Saturday, Israel razed the former home of a Palestinian who was shot dead October 3 after killing an Israeli rabbi in Jerusalem.

Gush Etzion settlement

On Thursday, Israeli soldiers killed three Palestinians who tried to stab them outside a Jewish settlement near Jerusalem.

The Gush Etzion settlement has been one of the focal points of Palestinian anger in the latest wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence, which began in early October.

The ongoing violence was set off by rumors Israel was planning to take over an East Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims.

Israeli policemen stand on guard in the village of Arara, northern Israel, Jan. 8, 2016.
Israeli policemen stand on guard in the village of Arara, northern Israel, Jan. 8, 2016.

The conflict has killed 22 Israelis, along with an American and an Eritrean. At least 138 Palestinians have died in clashes with Israeli forces or shot to death while trying to stab police, soldiers and civilians.

Also Thursday, Israeli security forces announced that last month, they arrested six Hamas terrorists who were planning to kidnap and murder an Israeli citizen.

Officials say the Hamas terror cell was planning to use the Israeli hostage as a bargaining chip for freedom for Palestinian prisoners.

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