A knife-wielding Palestinian infiltrated a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank today and was shot
dead by a security guard, the Israeli army said.
The Palestinian, described by Israeli media as being in his 20s, had "planned to carry out a terrorist attack" in Beit Haggai, a military spokeswoman said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from armed Palestinian factions.
A Beit Haggai settler who gave his name as Uziel told Army Radio that he and a neighbour were on a security patrol when they spotted the Palestinian walking among the houses.
"My friend asked him who he was, and the man drew a knife," Mr Uziel said. "My friend took my gun and killed the terrorist."
US envoy George Mitchell is in the region today to sound out the sides on prospects for a two-state peace accord.