The Israeli military says it has shot dead a Palestinian who tried to run over troops in the West Bank.

The military says the Palestinian tried to ram his car into the forces Saturday in Hebron. It says troops opened fire, killing the assailant. No Israeli troops were harmed.

Over the last two years, Israeli troops have faced a wave of stabbing and car ramming attacks in the West Bank that have petered off of late as the focus has shifted toward violent protests on the Gaza border.

The Palestinians and human rights groups have accused Israeli forces of using excessive force on some occasions, and of killing Palestinians who did not pose an imminent threat.