2 Palestinians shot dead in West Bank

Israeli troops shot and killed two Palestinians after they rammed their cars into soldiers in separate attacks in the West Bank yesterday as the country's defense minister urged Israelis to brace themselves for more violence, saying he cannot see an end to the near-daily Palestinian attacks.

In the first attack early yesterday morning, police said a Palestinian intentionally drove his car into a group of Israeli soldiers at a bus stop in the West Bank, injuring two before he was shot and killed by soldiers.

Later yesterday, the military said a Palestinian rammed his car into Israeli soldiers near the volatile West Bank city of Hebron, injuring six before he was shot and killed by troops at the scene.

Since mid-September, 19 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks, mostly stabbings and shootings. At least 96 Palestinians have also died, including 61 said by Israel to be attackers. The others died in clashes with Israeli forces.