Ramallah, October 19 (RHC)-- Israeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian girl in the occupied West Bank, claiming she had attempted a stabbing attack.  The forces opened fire on the girl from a security checkpoint in the city of Nablus on Tuesday, al-Aqsa TV reported. 

In recent months, Israeli forces have shot and killed large numbers of Palestinians across the occupied territories on the accusation that they sought to carry out attacks against Israelis. 

International rights groups have long been criticizing the regime for its policy of shoot-to-kill, which they say have led to numerous deaths.  Many of those killed by Israeli troops at the scene of attacks did not pose serious threats, according to the rights groups. 

The territories have witnessed increased tensions ever since Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem in August 2015. 

Almost 250 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces in the tensions since October 2015. About 40 Israelis have also purportedly been killed during the same period.