A Palestinian was shot dead north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Sunday.

"A Palestinian attempted to stab a soldier during a violent riot in Beit Einun, Hebron," an army statement said.

"The soldiers at the scene responded to the immediate threat and shot the attacker, resulting in his death."

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces since the beginning of October has climbed to 72, while the number of injured reached 2,240, the Palestinian health ministry said on Saturday.

Fifty-four Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and 17 in Gaza, Wafa Palestinian news agency reported. One man was killed in the Negev desert.

Palestinians have been protesting since the beginning of October against Israel's attempts to build more settlements in east Jerusalem and force out Arab residents of the city, the planned capital of a future Palestinian state.

The current wave of protests and repression started in late July when toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers.

Palestinian protests were also triggered by an increase in Jewish visitors to Al-Aqsa mosque—considered to be the third holiest site in Islam— in Jerusalem. Palestinians fear that Israel is preparing to allow Jewish prayers in the mosque, which is currently not allowed.