Israel Forces Kill Suspected Palestinian Gunman

West Bank

Israeli security forces shot and killed a Palestinian man who opened fire on them early Sunday in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli police and military had been looking for the suspect whom they believed had carried out two shooting attacks on Israelis in the West Bank Saturday.

Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said “The terrorist was found and surrounded, he pulled out his weapons at [the Israeli security forces], and in response, the terrorist was killed” in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near the city of Ramallah.

One Palestinian was lightly wounded in the shooting. There were no Israeli casualties.

Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians and security personnel have increased since 2015, although once-daily attacks had slowed lately. Since October 2015, violent incidents and other unrest have killed more than 270 Palestinians, more than 40 Israelis and a small group of foreigners.

Israel blames the Palestinian leadership for inciting the violence. Palestinian officials reject the accusation and say the violence steps from anger over Israeli occupation of land sought by Palestinians for an independent state.