A Palestinian man stabbed two Israelis today, including a soldier, and was shot and killed near an area of East Jerusalem that has been the scene of Palestinian protests, according to emergency services.
The Israeli ambulance service, Magen David Adom, said two men, about 20 years old, were injured in the attack, one seriously and one slightly. Zaka emergency service, which also sent a crew to the scene, confirmed that the alleged attacker was killed. Police had earlier stated that he had been “neutralized”.
The incident took place near the Sheikh Jara district, where possible evictions of Palestinian families sparked mass demonstrations and contributed to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Gaza fighters for 11 days.
The army said one of the wounded was a soldier. In a video posted on social media, he is seen wearing an Israeli air force uniform, with a knife stuck in his back as he kneels on the ground and receives medical attention.
Tensions have risen in Sheikh Jara and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, where Israeli police raids in recent weeks have prompted Gaza-based Islamic Hamas to launch rockets at Israel.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas mediated by Egypt is being observed today for the fourth day. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to visit the region this week for talks with the leaders of Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and Jordan.
