[Photo: Israeli security forces make crime scene investigation after Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian man who allegedly stabbed Israeli person, at a trolley station in Jerusalem on January 4, 2016. Photographer: Mahfouz Abu Turk/AA]
Aness Suheil Barghoti
RAMALLAH, (AA): Israeli forces shot dead three Palestinians near the Gush Etzion settlement close to southern occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem for allegedly trying to stab soldiers Thursday night, Palestinian and Israeli authorities said.
According to Israeli army’s version of events, three Palestinians armed with knives allegedly attempted to stab Israeli soldiers at the Gush Etzion Junction.
Two Palestinian suspects were shot dead at the scene, while the third Palestinian succumbed to his wounds later, it added.
On the other hand, the Palestinian Red Crescent said the Israeli army did not allow medics to provide assistance to the three Palestinians, who were left to bleed to death.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Thursday’s deadly incident brings the total number of Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces since Oct. 1 to 148, including 27 minors and seven women.
At least 110 of those slain were killed “in cold blood”, the ministry said, while 10 bodies were still being held by Israeli authorities.
The current violence also left 25 Israelis dead over the same period.
Some observers attribute the recent uptick in violence to a July arson attack in the West Bank by suspected Jewish settlers that killed an 18-month-old Palestinian child and his parents, which led to an international outcry.
