Israeli forces have shot and killed two more Palestinians, with these two killings the total number of killed Palestinians in the last 15 days has increased to be at least 30 Palestinians.
A young Palestinian was shot by   Israeli police  forces on Wednesday afternoon at the entrance of the  Damascus gate in Jerusalem. The Ma’an News Agency said that the young man from Hebron was only 20 years old.
Police claimed that the young man attempted to stab a policeman after they approached him for a security search. No Israeli casualties were reported.
On the same Wednesday evening, an Israeli policeman shot another Palestinian who believed to be 23 years Âold in West Jerusalem, who they claimed to be an attacker.
In the second story, according to Israeli police version, the attacker stabbed and “moderately” injured an old Israeli woman then tried to get on a bus to get away, prompting them to chase him, shoot and kill on scene.
Speaking to  Palestinians for the first time since the violence began, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a recorded televised speech he supported “peaceful and popular” struggle against Israel.
The killings come as Israel set up checkpoints at exits of Palestinian neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem after the government approved tough “security” measures. Since the start of this month violence between Palestinians and Israelis has surged, started by Palestinian fears about increased visits by hardline Jewish groups to alÂAqsa Mosque compound.
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to maintain the current status quo, Palestinians worry that the visits mark the first stage of an eventual plan to partition the compound into Muslim and Jewish sections.
Those killed in the violence included attackers, but most were demonstrators or stone throwers shot dead by Israeli soldiers during protests. Seven Israelis have also been killed.
Curfews and checkpoints
six companies were deployed by army on Wednesday to the country’s urban areas.
Allowing police to seal off Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.
Speaking on the deployment of soldiers, Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from West Jerusalem, said the country had never formally moved to deploy troops in Israel proper.
“This is unprecedented in many ways  to actually deploy formally Israeli soldiers on the streets alongside police officers,” he said.
“This is a conscript society. People are used to seeing people in uniform with guns walking through the streets. However, the formal nature of this  the fact the government has formally asked the Israeli army to provide companies  is going to strike the Israeli psyche very much.
” Israel’s security cabinet also approved a proposal by Gilad Erdan, public security minister, that Israel not hand over the bodies of those killed during attacks to their families.
Erdan suggested burying them in Israeli army cemeteries within Israel’s borders, where others in such cases have been buried in the past.
‘We are being chased out of our homes’
An Israeli police spokeswoman said checkpoints were being set up at “the exits of Palestinian villages and neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem”.
Residents of Jerusalem’s Old City said the area had turned into a war zone.
“This racist government has turned Jerusalem into a war zone … We are being chased out of our homes … our streets,” said Aziz Abbasi.
The streets and alleyways of Jerusalem’s old town are empty of Palestinians and settlers.
“There are armed men, border police, army, intelligence officers in every corner and alleyway in Jerusalem.”
Islam Younes, said he had been attacked by Israeli soldiers and that the situation in the city was “very tense” with security measures on every entrance leading to the Old City.
“I only came to pray at alÂAqsa Mosque, but everybody is on edge, expecting violations and attacks to take place at any time.”
