A Palestinian tried to stab Israeli soldiers in the  occupied West Bank on Friday before being shot dead, the army said, the latest in a months-long wave of violence.

"An assailant, armed with a knife, exited his vehicle and charged at the soldiers guarding the (Gush Etzion) junction," an army statement said, referring to a popular road crossing near Hebron in the southern West Bank.

"Forces responded to the threat and shot the attacker, resulting in his death."