Three Palestinians carried out two attacks — a shooting and a car-ramming — on Israelis in the southern occupied West Bank on Monday before they were shot dead, the Israeli army said.
“Two assailants opened fire at pedestrians waiting at a bus stop at the entrance of Kiryat Arba (near Hebron). Forces guarding the area responded and shot the assailants, resulting in their deaths,” a military statement read.
“Moments later, in an additional attack, a vehicle rammed into a military vehicle responding at the scene. Forces responded to the immediate danger and shot the assailant, resulting in his death.”
The army said a soldier was wounded in the shooting attack, and two others lightly wounded in the car-ramming.
A military spokeswoman said the assailants used a pistol and a submachine gun.
Israeli security forces have noted an recent surge in shooting attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank following five-and-a-half months of Palestinian attacks.
Since October 1, a wave of violence has killed 191 Palestinians, 28 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.
Most of the Palestinians were killed while carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, while others were killed in clashes with Israeli security forces.
Many analysts say young Palestinians are fed up with Israeli occupation, while Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the violence.