Israeli occupation forces shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Thursday at a crowded bus stop, the Israeli military forces said. The Israeli military said that the Palestinian was shot after he allegedly attempted to attack one of the soldiers at a crowded bus stop. Israeli military spokeswoman later said the Palestinian had died. The incident took place near the West Bank settlement bloc of Gush Etzion south of Jerusalem, on the main road to Hebron, which has become the focal point of recent crackdown on Palestinians that began more than a month ago. At least 69 Palestinians have been killed by occupation forces during the recent crackdown including a pregnant mother and teenagers. Meanwhile, Eleven Israelis have been killed. Palestinians have been protesting for weeks against Israel's attempts to build more settlements in east Jerusalem and force out Arab residents of the city that is meant to be a capital for any future Palestinian state. Palestinians have been protesting repeated Israeli and illegal Jewish settler attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque and closing the Muslim holy site on a number of occasions to worshippers. The al-Aqsa mosque is one of Islam's holiest sites. The current wave of protests and repression started in late July when 18-month old toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers. *The story was edited by Ahram Online. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/162829.aspx
