JERUSALEM: The wave of attacks since the start of October has left 73 Palestinians dead, around half of them alleged attackers. Nine Israelis have also been killed as well as one Arab Israeli.

Violent protests have also erupted in annexed east Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Unrest had appeared to be declining in recent days, but several attacks on Friday as well as clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians shattered the lull.

Much of the recent violence has occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron, where two Israelis were shot and wounded on Friday at a flashpoint holy site.

Netanyahu’s meeting with Obama will be centered on US defense aid to Israel following the July nuclear accord between major powers and Iran, but the recent Israeli-Palestinian violence is also expected to be discussed.

At the start of a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said he will speak with Obama about “possible progress with the Palestinians, or at least stabilizing the situation with them, and, of course, strengthening the security of the state of Israel.”

US officials say however that Obama has lost any hope of a major peace accord being reached between Israelis and Palestinians before he leaves office in January 2017.