Palestinian killed after Israeli soldier stabbed

A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops on Thursday after the stabbing of an Israeli soldier in Yatta village in the southern West Bank, the Israeli military told AFP. "Palestinians attacked soldiers during an IDF (army) operation in Yatta to arrest suspects," an Israeli military source said on condition of anonymity. "One soldier was injured after being stabbed in the neck and the soldiers then opened fire on the Palestinians. One Palestinian was killed and another was injured." An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the incident, near the city of Hebron. "During routine activity in Yatta, a Palestinian man stabbed and injured an IDF soldier who responded by firing at the assailant, injuring him and killing a second Palestinian who accompanied the assailant," he said. A source at the Abu Hassan al-Qassim hospital in Yatta confirmed the death of one Palestinian, whom he identified as Zacharia Abu Aram, adding that two others were injured. "The body of a youth in his twenties arrived at the hospital," the source told AFP. "He died from a gunshot wound directly to the head." Israeli public radio reported that the wounded soldier was in moderate condition and being treated at a Jerusalem hospital. Palestinian security sources said the incident occurred after troops moved into the village to arrest several suspects. Among those targeted was Khaled Makhamreh, who was released under a prisoner swap that saw Israel free 1,027 Palestinians in exchange for the release of an Israeli soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian security sources said Makhamreh was under Israeli arrest, along with a second individual, who was injured in the incident and taken to an Israeli hospital. In recent months, the Israeli military has reported several attempts by Palestinians to stab troops stationed in or near the city of Hebron.