By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA): A Palestinian was shot dead on Sunday after he allegedly attempted to stab Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Israeli military said in a statement.

“An assailant armed with a knife exited his vehicle and charged soldiers at the entrance to Nablus. Forces thwarted the attempted stabbing attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death,” the statement said.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed in a statement that Rami Awartani, 31, was shot dead by Israeli forces near the Huwwara checkpoint, south of Nablus city.

Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired many live rounds fired at the Palestinian after dragging him out of his car, while the army claimed “he ran toward the soldiers.”

After shooting the Palestinian, the soldiers prevented Palestinian ambulances from entering the area, and refused to allow the medics to approach him to provide the urgently needed medical treatment.

The Palestinian bled to death, while the soldiers closed the entire area, and declared it a closed military zone.

The army took the body of Awartani to an unknown destination.

Eyewitnesses said awartani carthe soldiers fired several live rounds at the Palestinian’s chest, while he was in his car, in contrary to the military claims.

Nablus Live news agency qouted eyewitnesses stating that the soldiers also forced the Palestinian out of his car, and shot him from a close range.

Awartani was a father of several children and owned his hairstyle shop in Nablus.

Since Oct. 1, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces or during alleged stabbing attacks while 38 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in such attacks.

Additional Reporting imemc.org

[Photo: Israeli security forces take security measures after Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian who allegedly attempted knife attack at Huwwara checkpoint in Nablus, West Bank on July 31, 2016. Photographer: Nedal Eshtayah/AA]