Two Palestinians shot dead in alleged stabbing attempt

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM

A Palestinian male and female were shot dead by Israeli forces during an alleged stabbing attempt at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The woman was identified as 23-year-old Maram Abu Ismail from Beit Soureek village in northern Jerusalem, while the ministry said it did not know the male's identity at this time.

Israeli army spokesman Peter Lerner tweeted that the pair walked toward the checkpoint in a lane for cars and were shot when the woman, who was holding a knife, did not respond to demands by police officers to stop.

At least 205 Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes or alleged attacks since Oct. 1 while 33 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in the same period, though the number of deaths has dropped significantly since March.