Hamas gunman kills one Israeli, injures four others, in Jerusalem attack; police shoot dead assailant
By Alex Lacy, CNN
(CNN) – A Palestinian gunman attacked Israeli vehicles traveling in Jerusalem Thursday, fatally wounding one Israeli and injuring four others before being shot and killed by Israeli police, police and local residents said.
The terrorist stabbed the group on Shavei Shomron Street, a street bordering Jerusalem’s Old City, according to police. The attack took place during the morning rush hour.
Israeli police at the scene said they shot and killed the terrorist. The assailant was at least 22, they said.
The Jerusalem terrorist stabbed the group on Shavei Shomron Street, a street bordering Jerusalem’s Old City, according to police. The attack took place during the morning rush hour.
Israeli police at the scene said they shot and killed the terrorist. The assailant was at least 22, they said.
It is not clear whether the attacker opened fire or used knives. Police said all injured are in stable condition.
Israel responded with “all necessary means,” including police vehicles and tear gas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Palestinians living in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured during the 1967 war, condemned the attack.
“The terrorists act with utter disregard to human life and to the law,” they said in a statement. “Their terrorist action deliberately targets Israeli civilians.”
Earlier this year, the US State Department said it was deeply concerned over a wave of violence in Jerusalem and other Israeli-Palestinian areas.
“All parties must take steps to de-escalate the situation and work towards de-escalation and stability and this includes de-escalating tensions near the holy sites and endangering life and endangering the life of the loved ones of the innocent people,” spokesperson Heather Nauert said.
Between November 2015 and April 2016, there were 1,276 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, according to an Israeli military document from 2015. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, the document said.
Four Israelis were killed and another 10 wounded in knife attacks, according to the document. Seven people died in vehicular attacks and four people were killed in an attempted stabbing, according to the document.