Israel Says it Killed Five Palestinian Attackers

Israeli emergency services personnel carry the body of a Palestinian, identified as Naim Safi, at a checkpoint near Jerusalem, Feb. 14, 2016.

Five Palestinians have been killed and another critically wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank, the Israeli army said.

Late Sunday, two Palestinians were fatally shot after they opened fire with automatic weapons on Israeli security forces near Jerusalem's Damascus Gate.

Earlier in the day, the army said two teenagers were throwing stones at cars in the West Bank city of Jenin. When the military forces arrived, one of the teens opened fire prompting soldiers to respond, killing them both.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said both Palestinians were 15 years old.

Israeli authorities say a Palestinian was shot dead after attempting to stab Israeli border police on the outskirts of Jerusalem . No Israeli officers were injured in the attack. Palestinian officials identified the assailant as a 17-year old from a village near Bethlehem.

Since October, Palestinian stabbings, shootings and assaults have killed 27 Israelis, while at least 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops.

Analysts say Palestinians frustrations with Israeli occupation coupled with the lack of progress over peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have led to the unrest.