U.S. Condemns Killings of Israeli Soldiers

The United States on Sunday condemned the killings of two Israeli soldiers in separate incidents on the West Bank.

"Such violence and terror are unacceptable," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

These types of violent incidents "undermine efforts to establish the positive atmosphere the parties need to progress in peace negotiations," Psaki added in a statement.

"We call on all parties to join in condemning these attacks."

One Israeli soldier died on Sunday after being shot by a suspected Palestinian gunman in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli officials said.

The shooting took place close to the volatile Cave of the Patriarchs, which is considered holy to both Jews and Muslims.

Sunday's fatal shooting took place a day after Israeli troops found the body of another soldier who had been lured to the northern West Bank and killed by a Palestinian.

Senior cabinet minister Naftali Bennett said the two attacks should push Israel to reconsider its involvement in peace talks with the Palestinians, which were relaunched in late July after a three-year hiatus.