Palestinian killed in alleged stabbing in Hebron

By Anees Bargouthi

HEBRON, Palestine (AA) - A Palestinian man was shot dead early Saturday after he allegedly stabbed an Israeli soldier in the West Bank, the Israeli military said in a statement.

According to the statement, a Palestinian assailant armed with a knife stabbed a soldier and lightly wounded him in Tel Rumeida in Hebron city.

“Israeli forces at the scene shot the assailant, resulting in his death,” it added.

The Palestinian Health Ministry idetified the slain Palestinian as Hatem Shaloudi, 25.

Tensions have soared in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories in recent months.

On Friday, two men -- a Palestinian and a Jordanian -- were killed by Israeli forces in alleged attacks in the West Bank.

Since October of last year, at least 240 Palestinians have been killed in the violence, according to official Palestinian figures.

Israeli authorities say at least 40 Israelis have been killed over the same period.