07-Jan-16: Thursday evening attempted terror attacks in Gush Etzion and Jerusalem

There are reports - still somewhat sketchy at this stage - of an attempted Arab-on-Israeli terror attack at Gush Etzion Junction around 8 this evening (Thursday), and the elimination of three suspected terrorists. The Jerusalem Post's report says three would-be assailants

attempted to carry out a stabbing attack Thursday night against IDF forces at the Gush Etizion junction in the West Bank, according to initial reports. Security forces shot the terrorists, killing two. The third attacker was in critical condition. There were no injuries on the Israeli side. 

Times of Israel says

three attackers armed with knives attempted to stab soldiers guarding the Gush Etzion Junction. The IDF force thwarted the attack, responding to imminent danger and shooting the perpetrators, resulting in the death of two, the army says. The third attacker is receiving medical treatment at the scene. No Israelis were injured in the attempted attack.

A little earlier this evening, shortly before this incident, a Palestinian Arab boy of sixteen was arrested at one of the entrances to Jerusalem and found to have a knife hidden in his clothing. Bitter experience of the past three months has served to harden the resolve of security officials here to the matter of how to respond to such events. In this case, Border Police at a security checkpoint became suspicious for reasons not yet reported and in the course of searching the boy found the knife [Times of Israel] He's presumably in the hands of interrogators at this point.

More details about both terror apprehensions when we have them.