Another attack on Israelis in West Bank: Report

TEL AVIV - Israeli settlers in the West Bank escaped injury late Thursday after the third attack by militant Palestinians in the past 48 hours, Israeli media reported.

The concentrated attacks were seen as an attempt to undermine the Middle East peace talks that got underway Thursday in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The shootings took place at the Ofra settlement in the West Bank. An Israeli army spokeswoman said no one had been injured.

Late Tuesday, four Israelis in the West Bank were killed and Wednesday two others were injured in attacks.

Israel’s stance on its settlements is a key issue on the peace talks, with a moratorium expected to expire Sep 26. The Palestinians have warned that the talks will collapse if Israel does not permanently halt expansions in their territory.