Palestinian gunman kills 3 Israelis, injures 1

JERUSALEM — A Palestinian gunman killed an Israeli police officer and two security guards and critically wounded a fourth Israeli outside a West Bank settlement before he was shot dead Tuesday, dealing a setback to efforts by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy to restart long-stalled peace talks.

The shooting, which took place as Palestinian laborers were lined up to enter the Har Adar settlement, was one of the deadliest attacks in a two-year spasm of violence. While Israeli leaders condemned the attack, the gunman was identified as a lone assailant motivated by personal problems, leaving Israel with limited options for responding.

Trump’s envoy, Jason Greenblatt, said he was “horrified” by the attack. “All must stand against terror!” he wrote on Twitter.

Greenblatt has been shuttling between the sides in search of a formula for restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. But eight months after Trump took office, there has been no tangible progress, and the administration has said it needs more time to draw up a proposal.

Greenblatt, who arrived in the region Monday, is scheduled to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the coming days.

Israelis have long accused Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of inciting violence and complained about his practice of giving stipends to the families of people killed in clashes with Israel, even attackers.

His office remained silent Tuesday, but Abbas has previously said such attacks are the result of frustration after decades of Israeli occupation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Abbas “to condemn this attack, not try to justify it.”

ODED BALILTY/AP Friends and relatives mourn the killing of an Israeli officer Tuesday. Two security guards also were killed in the attack.