Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinian in occupied West Bank over alleged stabbing

Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank, claiming he had attempted a stabbing attack.

The Israeli army said in a statement that troops shot dead the Palestinian who allegedly attempted to stab a soldier near the illegal settlement of Ofra on Thursday.

In response, Israeli forces shot at the Palestinian, "resulting in his death,” an Israeli army spokesperson said.

In recent months, Israeli forces have shot and killed a large number of Palestinians across the occupied territories, alleging that they sought to carry out attacks against Israelis.

International rights groups have long been criticizing the regime for its policy of shoot-to-kill, which they say has led to numerous deaths. Many of those killed by Israeli troops at the scene of attacks did not pose serious threats, according to the rights groups.

The developments come at a time of heightened tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters.

The occupied territories have witnessed increased tensions ever since Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem al-Quds in August 2015. 

Nearly 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in what is regarded as the third Palestinian Intifada (uprising) since October 2015.

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