Israeli troops shoot dead a Palestinian wielding knife

Clashes at Temple Mount. The U.S. State Department on Monday voiced concern about violence at the compound surrounding Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, an area revered by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and by Jews as the Temple Mount. | Photo by Ammar Awar/REUTERS

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian man who tried to stab them in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the military said.

"An assailant, armed with a knife, exited his vehicle and charged at the soldiers guarding the junction. Forces responded to the threat and shot the attacker, resulting in his death," the military said in a statement.

Since October, Palestinian street attacks have killed 28 Israelis and two U.S. citizens. Israeli forces have killed at least 188 Palestinians, 127 of whom Israel says were assailants. Most others were shot dead during clashes and protests.

Palestinian leaders say attackers have acted out of desperation in the absence of movement towards creation of an independent state. Israel says they are being incited to violence by their leaders and on social media.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

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