Israeli soldier stabbed in West Bank attack in latest wave of violence

Oct. 20, 2015: A Palestinian swings a sling during clashes with Israeli troops, near Ramallah, West Bank. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

A female Israeli soldier is in serious condition after being stabbed in the West Bank on Wednesday. Israeli media said a Palestinian stabbed the soldier in the neck.

The assailant was shot and killed by Israeli forces. A second assailant is in custody.

Earlier, Israeli troops shot a young Palestinian woman in the West Bank after she allegedly approached a settlement with a knife.

The new violence comes as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with leaders in the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Tensions were initially sparked over prayer and visitation rights at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims.

"It's not too late to avoid a broader crisis," Ban said during a press conference. He added he supports “efforts to lower tensions and prevent the situation from spinning out of control."

Over the past month, 10 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks, most of them stabbings. During that time, 47 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, including 26 labeled by Israel as attackers, and the rest in clashes with Israeli troops. An Eritrean migrant died after being shot and beaten by a mob that mistakenly believed he was a Palestinian attacker.

Israel has struggled to contain the attacks. Authorities have blocked roads and placed checkpoints at the entrances of Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Other security measures include ID checks and requiring some Palestinian residents to lift their shirts and roll up pant legs as they exit their neighborhoods to prove they are not carrying knives. Soldiers have been deployed in Jerusalem and cities across Israel.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.