Two terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers near the settlement of Amihai, located near Shiloh in the West Bank, on Monday morning. The soldiers fired at the terrorists; no injuries were reported among the soldiers.
The Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that a number of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds in the plain between Mughayir and Turmus Aya, located near Shiloh. Two Palestinians were injured in the incident, one in the stomach and the other in the foot, and transferred for treatment in Ramallah, according to WAFA. Video reportedly from the scene showed Palestinians arguing with IDF soldiers, but no violence.
The Palestinian report added that IDF soldiers arrived at the scene and fired tear gas at Palestinian residents who came to fight with the settlers, but did not mention the stabbing attempt. The Palestinian Safa news agency reported that the attempted stabbing took place during the clashes and that the two were wounded by IDF soldiers.The attempted attack comes two weeks after a ramming attack injured a soldier near the West Bank settlement of Negohot near Hebron and after a Palestinian was shot at the Kalandiya crossing after attempting to stab a security officer and after an IDF soldier was moderately injured in a ramming and stabbing attack earlier this month in the West Bank town of Abu Dis.
While there was a decrease in violence during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the IDF is starting to see an uptick in violent incidents, as tensions continue to rise with Israel plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
Last week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared that the PA is "absolved" of all security agreements and understandings between Israel and the PLO, in addition to agreements with the US, according to WAFA. Abbas also placed responsibility for the West Bank on Israel as an "occupying power."
Threats and statements similar to these have been repeated multiple times by Palestinian officials, including Abbas, in reference to annexation and the Trump administration's "Deal of the Century."Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.