Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian who they say stabbed and wounded a soldier in the West Bank.<br /><br /> Military sources say the soldier has been taken to hospital for treatment.<br /><br /> What have the Israeli military said?<br /><br /> An Israeli military spokeswoman said that during a “routine security check” in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, an “assailant armed with a knife stabbed an (Israeli) soldier.”<br /><br /> “In response to the immediate threat, forces shot the assailant, resulting in his death.”<br /><br /> What have Palestinian officials said?<br /><br /> There has been no immediate comment from Palestinian officials about Saturday’s attack.<br /><br /> What is the context?<br /><br /> Observers say this is the second day of a flare-up in an almost year-long wave of attacks.<br /><br /> On Friday, Israeli forces shot dead three Arab assailants in separate incidents in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.<br /><br /> The frequency of what were at one stage near-daily attacks has slowed in recent months.<br /><br /> Palestinian killed in alleged stabbing in Hebron https://t.co/p7dwc1MhM1 pic.twitter.com/E0NrIrDKX7— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) September 17, 2016<br /><br /> Israel suffers four attacks in 24 hours https://t.co/XCMH8XVs6b — Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 17, 2016<br /><br /> How many people been killed in the violence since last year?<br /><br /> At least 215 Palestinians have died in violent incidents since last October in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.<br /><br /> The authorities say 144 were identified as attackers while others were killed during clashes and protests.<br /><br /> At least 33 Israelis have died, as well as two visiting Americans.<br /><br /> What is prompting the violence?<br /><br /> Palestinian leaders say assailants have acted out of desperation over the collapse of peace talks in 2014. <br /><br /> They also cite Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.<br /><br /> Israel says Palestinian officials and social networks are stoking anti-Israeli incitement, which is leading to attacks.<br /><br /> Palestinians have accused Israel of using excessive force.<br /><br /> They say some of those killed posed no threat or had no intention of attacking anyone.<br /><br /> In some cases, Israel has opened investigations into whether excessive force has been used.<br />
