2 Palestinians killed at checkpoint after alleged stab attempt

Israeli forces on Saturday shot and killed two Palestinian men at the al-Hamra military checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley, witnesses said.

Witnesses told Ma’an that the two men were stopped at the checkpoint -- also known as Beqaot -- and asked by military forces to exit their vehicle, at which point the forces shot them dead.

The witnesses said they did not see the men wielding knives, and told Ma’an the two were “killed in cold blood.” The men sold wholesale goods and were reportedly on their way to distribute merchandise to grocery shops, witnesses added.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma’an that two assailants attempted to stab Israeli soldiers stationed at the security crossing who opened fire in response to the attack.

The two Palestinians received medical treatment on site but were pronounced dead, the spokeswoman said.

No Israelis were injured in the incident. more