A Palestinian tried to stab Israeli border police in the northern West Bank on Thursday but was shot and killed before harming anyone, police said.

"An attacker got out of a taxi with a knife" at Tapuah junction near Nablus, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement. "Forces responded by firing shots at him, resulting in his death."

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed his death, identifying him as Samer Hassan Siresee, 51.

He was the second Palestinian killed on Thursday after Yahya Taha, 21, was shot in the head by Israeli security forces during clashes northwest of Jerusalem, the health ministry said.

The deaths bring to 96 the number of Palestinians killed in violence since October 1, including an Arab Israeli.

Around half of them have been alleged perpetrators of a wave of stabbing, shooting and car ramming attacks. Others have died in clashes with security forces.

The violence has also left 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean dead.

More than 800 Palestinians have been arrested over the past two months, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon told public radio on Thursday.
Source: AFP