A Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc southwest of Bethlehem on Thursday after allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier, Israel’s army said.

“Moments ago, IDF forces thwarted an attack at a crowded bus station in Gush Etzion,” an Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an.

“A Palestinian armed with a knife attempted to stab a soldier, forces on site shot the assailant,” she added, confirming that the Palestinian was killed.
No Israelis were injured in the incident.

Last week, two Palestinians were shot dead following an attack in Gush Etzion that left an Israeli soldier injured.

Seventy-three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of last month, many of whom were shot dead during attempted, alleged, and actual attacks on Israeli military and civilians.

At least nine Israelis have been killed in attacks by individual Palestinians during the same time period.

The deaths of Palestinians in several cases have raised widespread controversy over Israel’s “shoot to kill” policy that critics claim has led to “extrajudicial executions.”

– Read more: Palestinian Shot, Killed after Alleged Stab Attack in Gush Etzion – Ma’an