Police Officer Dies After Shuafat Terror Attack

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – A Border Police officer who was shot and wounded during a confrontation with a Palestinian terrorist on Monday evening at a checkpoint in the entrance to the Shuafat Refugee Camp in East Yerushalayim, died of his wounds several hours later.

It was the second terror attack of the day, after a passerby near the Kosel was stabbed and lightly injured.

The officer was named as Staff Sgt. Asil Sawaed, 22, from the northern Bedouin village of Hussniyya.

Police said that an officer and a civilian security guard had boarded the bus to question the passengers in a routine inspection when the suspect pulled out a knife.

According to initial reports, an officer and the guard both fired at the attacker, who was neutralized. However, it appears that a bullet from the guard accidentally hit the officer as well.

The officer, who also suffered from a knife wound, was taken to Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus in critical condition.

The checkpoint leading to the Shuafat Refugee Camp was closed afterwards, while police forces conduct operations in the area, according to officials.

Israeli forces were seen entering the Shuafat camp, where they arrested the mother and brother of the terrorist. Clashes broke out in the area during the arrests, The Jerusalem Post said, citing Palestinian reports.

Earlier on Monday a young man was lightly wounded when stabbed in the back as he walked in the vicinity of the Kosel near the Chain Gate.

The terrorist, who was arrested by police, was identified as a 14-year-old resident of the Shuafat neighborhood of eastern Yerushalayim.