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Palestinian killed by Israeli civilian in West Bank settlement

A Palestinian was shot dead by an Israeli civilian Friday after an alleged attempted stabbing attack in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli army.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian had been killed in the southern West Bank "by occupation [Israeli] fire," identifying him as Alaa Qaisiyah, 28.

In a brief statement, the Israeli army reported an "infiltration" at the Teneh Omarim settlement south of Hebron, saying a "terrorist attempted to stab a civilian" before being "neutralized."

There were no Israeli casualties, the statement said.

An Israeli army spokesperson told AFP the suspected assailant was shot by a civilian. It was unclear whether that civilian was the target of the alleged stabbing attack.

Later in the day, Palestinians and settlers clashed northeast of Ramallah, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.

"The confrontation involved mutual stone-hurling and Israeli civilians firing into the air," the Israeli army said in a statement. 

"As a result, Israelis and Palestinians were injured. Additional reports are stating that multiple Palestinian vehicles were set on fire as a result of the confrontation," the Israeli army said, noting Israeli forces used "riot dispersal means" at the scene.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said four people were wounded by settlers near Al-Mughayir.

The European Union's delegation to the Palestinian Authority condemned the "settlers' attacks," citing data showing "increasing and more violent settler attacks" and calling on Israel to "take decisive steps to ensure accountability and protect the Palestinian civilian population." 

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967. Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, it is home to some three million Palestinians. About 490,000 Israelis live in the occupied territory, in settlements deemed illegal under international law.

Since the start of the year, at least 154 Palestinians, 20 Israelis, a Ukrainian and an Italian have been killed in the violence, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

The figures include combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority.


A Palestinian was shot dead by an Israeli civilian Friday after an alleged attempted stabbing attack in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli army.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian had been killed in the southern West Bank "by occupation [Israeli] fire," identifying him as Alaa Qaisiyah, 28.

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