Palestinian teen shot dead after three Israelis killed in West Bank

Illustration of Israeli troops. (Wikimedia Commons/Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - A Palestinian teenager was shot dead on Tuesday after three Israelis were killed in an attack near the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank.

The Israeli army said the teenager, an 18-year-old man, stabbed and rammed three people. He reportedly has a permit to work in Ariel's industrial estate.

In addition to the death toll, three people were also hospitalized, with two in critical condition.

Police said the assailant, from the village of Hares near Nablus, stabbed and injured a guard in an industrial area, before stabbing another person at the gas station and fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle.

It was further explained that he was shot dead by a soldier after hitting another person with his car. Meanwhile, the security forces are looking for parties related to the perpetrators.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz identified the attacker as Mohammed Souf. Three members of his family have been arrested, Palestinian sources told the newspaper.

This year is known to be the deadliest since 2006 in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

At least 130 Palestinians have been killed in raids and violence in the West Bank, following a wave of Palestinian attacks in Israel that killed 23 people earlier this year.

Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Twitter post that he prayed for the victims and would strengthen security forces in the region.

Meanwhile, speaking at the Knesset before its 120 new members were sworn in, President Isaac Herzog said Ariel's attack "will not succeed in shaking up Israel's strength and cohesion.

"Our domestic arguments reflect the strength of our democracy", he said, urging lawmakers to pay attention to "minorities who fear their needs are not on the agenda", citing Reuters.

Following the incident, Defense Secretary Benny Gantz met with the head of the army and the Shin Bet Intelligence service during the attack.