Manhunt after Israeli woman stabbed to death in West Bank home

Israeli forces in the West Bank hunt after a Palestinian accused of stabbing

JERUSALEM: Israeli security forces on Monday hunted for a Palestinian suspect accused of breaking into a family's home and stabbing an Israeli woman to death in the occupied West Bank.



While the killing was the latest in a months-long wave of violence, it was the first inside a Jewish settlement home, provoking fears that the attacks were worsening and that Israel would impose a harsh security crackdown on Palestinians.
Israel's military confirmed it was searching for the suspect following the stabbing in the Otniel settlement near the flashpoint city of Hebron in the southern West Bank, but declined to provide further details.


The woman, Dafna Meir, a 38-year-old nurse and mother of six, was stabbed on Sunday, with the assailant fleeing. At least some of her children, aged four to 17, were home at the time, but were not hurt.
She was to be buried in Jerusalem later Monday.
Her death brought the toll to 24 Israelis and 155 Palestinians killed since October 1.

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Many of the Palestinians killed have been attackers, while others have been shot dead by Israeli forces during protests and clashes.
Israel's government has come under heavy pressure over the spate of attacks, and Sunday's killing was likely to further raise tensions.
Some analysts say the attacks have been in part driven by frustration with the complete lack of progress in peace efforts, Israel's occupation of the West Bank and their own fractured Palestinian leadership.
Israel says incitement by Palestinian leaders and news media has been a main cause of the violence.