Two Palestinians shot, hurt in W. Bank knife attack

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Israeli forces on Tuesday shot and arrested two Palestinians for allegedly attempting to stab soldiers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Israeli police.

In a statement, police said the two had tried to carry out a stabbing attack at Tapuah Junction near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

"The two were neutralized by Border Policemen who were on the scene. One was shot and wounded, and the other was arrested without using fire,” the statement said.

There was no comment from the Palestinian side at the time of filing the report.

Tension has risen across the West Bank since last month when U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Addressing the Israeli Knesset (parliament) on Monday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Washington was advancing its plan to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem “before the end of next year”.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.