Four Palestinians have been killed after they attempted to attack Israeli soldiers in the West Bank.

In one attack at the commonly-targeted Gush Etzion Junction on Thursday night, three men armed with knives tried to stab soldiers. Another attack, also on Thursday night, took place against soldiers at a checkpoint near Hebron. All assailants were shot dead by Israeli troops, none of whom were harmed.

The assailants in Gush Etzion were named as Ahmed Kawazbeh, 21, Muhanad Kawazbeh, 20, and Alaa Kawazbeh, 20. They are believed to all come from the village of Sa’ir, north-east of Hebron.

The assailant in Hebron was reported as Khalil Shalalda, 16, who also came from Sa’ir.

These attempted stabbings are the latest in the recent upsurge of violence in Israel, and follow the deadly shooting in Tel Aviv on January 1 which killed two people.