Palestinian Shot Dead After Attempting to Stab Police in Old City of Yerushalayim

A Palestinian terrorist was shot dead after attempting to stab Israeli police officers in the Old City of Yerushalayim, a police spokesperson said Friday afternoon.

According to a police statement, the terrorist – a 50-year-old man from eastern Yerushalayim – arrived at the Old City’s Council Gate on the northern side of the Kosel when he launched himself at police officers. The officers opened fire in response, gravely injuring him.

He was rushed to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus where he later succumbed to his wounds.

First responders at the scene said that one of the officers was reportedly slightly wounded in the leg by a ricocheting bullet. The 19-year-old was taken to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center for further care.

The Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas praised the terrorist and said that “this attack is a message to Israel that the Palestinians will not sit idly by while it is harming our prisoners,” referring to new curbs Israel imposed on Palestinian security prisoners after the jailbreak from Gilboa Prison.

The incident came amid heightened tensions and calls by Palestinian factions for a “Day of Rage” against Israel in support of six security prisoners who broke out of the high-level detention facility.

However, Palestinian response to such calls was lower than initially feared.