Palestinian killed after shooting three in occupied West Bank

A Palestinian opened fire at an Israeli civilian in the occupied West Bank city of Qalqilya, wounding him and two Palestinians, before being killed by Israeli troops, the Israeli military said on Monday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the shooter as an 18-year-old from the area, adding his body is being held by Israeli authorities. A photograph from his social media account shows him wearing a military-style uniform and holding an assault rifle and ammunition.

Violence in the West Bank, already on the rise before the war in Gaza, has escalated further, with stepped-up Israeli military raids, Israeli settler violence, and Palestinian street attacks.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) health ministry says more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since last October. As many as 10,000 have been arrested, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society. At least 18 Israelis, including 12 security forces personnel, have also been killed in the West Bank.