A Palestinian who stabbed and wounded an Israeli security guard at a main military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank that separates Ramallah and Jerusalem, was shot and killed on Friday, police said.
The incident occurred hours after world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, attended the funeral of Israeli statesman Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the Palestinian, a 28-year-old East Jerusalem resident, ran into Qalandia checkpoint wielding a knife and stabbed a security guard before he was shot.
The guard was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment, Samri said.
In the past year, at least 219 Palestinians have died in violent incidents in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Of those, 148 were identified by authorities as assailants while others were killed during clashes and protests.
Palestinians, many acting alone and with rudimentary weapons, have killed at least 33 Israelis and two visiting Americans in the attacks.
Israel says anti-Israeli incitement by Palestinian officials and on social media networks is stoking attacks.
Meanwhile, Israel has approved the construction of 98 settler homes in the occupied West Bank and an industrial zone near Palestinian political capital Ramallah, the watchdog Peace Now said on Saturday.
“While world leaders are gathering to commemorate (former Israeli prime minister) Shimon Peres and his path to peace, the Israeli government is creating another obstacle for the two-state solution by establishing a new settlement in the heart of the West Bank,” Peace Now said in a statement.

Source: Arab News