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Hebron, Palestinian Territories: The Israeli officials and medics said a Palestinian woman tried to stab Israeli soldiers in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron on Sunday before she was shot and arrested.
The incident set off a clash between Palestinian residents -- who said they were seeking to help the wounded woman -- and Israeli security forces who fired rubber bullets and stun grenades, witnesses and Palestinian medics said.
Three people were hurt by rubber-coated bullets, including a five-year-old who was in the area, according to the medics and Palestinian police.
No injuries were reported on the Israeli side.
"In Hebron, an assailant attempted to stab soldiers stationed in the area," the Israeli military said in a statement.
"The forces responded, thwarting the attack. The assailant has been arrested and evacuated for medical treatment."
A wave of violence since the start of October has claimed the lives of 123 on the Palestinian side, 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean.
Tensions have been particularly high in Hebron, where several hundred Israeli settlers live under heavy military guard in the heart of the city among about 200,000 Palestinians.
Palestinians have grown frustrated with Israel's occupation, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts while international efforts to end the violence have so far failed.
AFP
