Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian after alleged car-ramming attack

Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian on Tuesday after he allegedly carried out a ramming attack near the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.

The incident took place at the entrance to the town of Beit Einun, injuring two Israeli soldiers. The assailant was then shot dead by security forces, Israel's army said.

Palestinian security officials identified the attacker as Rafat Hirbawi from Hebron, Ma'an News Agency reported.

He was the eighth Palestinian to be killed by Israeli forces within the past week. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed so far this year.

Tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories have risen in recent days following an attack at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem's Old City, considered occupied territory under international law.

Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli Druze police officers in the attack last Friday before being shot dead.

Video footage of the incident showed one gunman being shot dead in the courtyard of the holy site, leading to widespread anger among Palestinians.

Israel closed the site for two days following the incident, angering Jordan, the holy site's custodian, and Palestinians.

The site reopened on Sunday with metal detectors at entrances, but Palestinian-Muslims refused to enter in protest at the security measures.

Many Palestinians view such Israeli actions as a threat to the site's delicate status quo.

Agencies contributed to this report