Israelis kill a Palestinian 18-year old youth over claimed stabbing of soldier

According to police, the Palestinian man approached a checkpoint close to the site known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs.

He was asked to identify himself but instead drew a knife and attacked one of the guards before being chased and shot dead in retaliation.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks that has resulted in the deaths of 198 Palestinians, 28 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese since October 1, according to an AFP count.

Israeli authorities claim most of the Palestinians were killed while carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks.

Others caught up in the conflict were shot dead during protests and clashes.

Hebron is the largest city in the West Bank and has long been a source of tensions.

Several hundred Israeli settlers live in the heart of the city under heavy military guard among around 200,000 Palestinians.

All entrances to the old city were shut down by Israeli soldiers following today’s attack, according to AFP.

Many analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank have fed the unrest.

The complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have also contributed.

Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the violence.