A Palestinian was shot dead on Monday after trying to stab Israeli soldiers near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Israel's army said.

"(Soldiers) identified a suspect infiltrating the security fence near the community of Salit, east of Kfar Saba," an army statement said. "When forces arrived at the scene the assailant drew a knife and attempted to stab the soldiers.

"Responding to the imminent threat, the force fired towards the attacker, resulting in his death."

A Palestinian security source named the assailant as Ahmed Toba, 17, from a village in the northern West Bank.

Salit settlement, south of the city of Tulkarem, is situated close to Israeli territory.  

A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks erupted in October. Most of the attacks have been stabbings, although there have also been occasional shootings.

The violence has killed 25 Israelis, as well as an American and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count.

At the same time, 161 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, most while carrying out attacks but others during clashes and demonstrations.
Source: AFP