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Israeli Military Says 2 Soldiers Killed in Palestinian's 'Terror Attack'

by Associated Press

   JERUSALEM --

   A Palestinian killed two Israeli soldiers and badly wounded two others
   when he rammed his vehicle into them in the West Bank on Friday, the
   military said.

   The Palestinian ran over soldiers on duty securing routes near the
   settlement of Mevo Dotan, close to the Palestinian city of Jenin, the
   military said. An officer was killed along with a soldier while another
   two soldiers were seriously hurt, it added, saying the Palestinian
   driver was injured and hospitalized for treatment.

   A military spokesman called the incident a "terror attack.''

   Israel's Shin Bet security service said the attacker had spent time in
   prison for security offenses and was freed last year.

   Media showed footage of a smashed and mangled white car. Channel 10 TV
   said the Palestinian's vehicle plowed into the victims as they
   dismounted from a jeep and walked toward a guard post.

   Gaza's rulers, the Islamic militant group Hamas, issued a statement
   praising the "operation'' but did not take responsibility for the
   attack.

   Major General Yoav Mordechai, who heads Cogat, the Israeli defense body
   for Palestinian civilian affairs, ordered in response to the attack "an
   immediate and broad suspension'' of permits for employment in Israel
   "for the entire family of the assailant.''

   The incident came as Palestinians protested across the West Bank and
   the Gaza border marking 100 days since U.S. President Donald Trump
   recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Dozens sustained light to
   moderate injuries in clashes with Israeli forces on Friday.

   The Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as their future capital and view
   Trump's decision as siding with Israel on one of the conflict's
   thorniest issues. Palestinian officials say the move disqualifies
   Washington from its traditional role as Mideast peace broker.

   Palestinians have held regular protests since Trump's December 6
   declaration, often clashing with Israeli forces.