Four Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces Thursday after trying to stab them in two incidents in the southern West Bank, the army said.

"Three attackers, armed with knives, attempted to stab soldiers guarding the Gush Etzion junction," a statement said, adding that troops responded by firing at the assailants.

A military spokeswoman told AFP all three were killed.

Gush Etzion is a settlement bloc south of Jerusalem, and its junction has been a focal point in three months of Palestinian attacks targeting Israeli security forces and civilians.

A short while later, a Palestinian armed with a knife tried to stab soldiers northeast of Hebron, a statement said. "The force thwarted the attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death."

He was later identified as Khalil Shalalda, 16, from Sair village, northeast of Hebron. His cousin was killed at the same place under similar circumstances just weeks ago.

The three would-be assailants from the Gush Etzion incident were identified in Palestinian media as Muhanad Kawazbeh, 20; Ahmed Kawazbeh, 21, and Alaa Kawazbeh, 20, all from Sair.

They were said to be relatives of Ahmed Kawazbeh, 18, who was shot dead after stabbing a soldier at the Gush Etzion junction on Tuesday.

Twenty-two Israelis, an American and an Eritrean have been killed in Palestinian attacks including stabbings, car rammings and gunfire targeting security forces and civilians since October 1.

At the same time, 143 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, most while carrying out attacks.
Source: AFP