A Palestinian assailant killed an Israeli and wounded four others on Sunday before being fatally shot by Israeli police near the entrance of a Flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, police said.
Police said the attack took place near the entrance of a disputed temple, known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary. Violence around the site, which is considered sacred by both religions, has recently triggered the previous round of fighting between Israel and Palestinians in May.
Paramedics said one person suffered serious injuries, one suffered serious injuries and three others were slightly injured. Paramedics said the death of the Palestinian attacker was confirmed on the spot.
Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital later said the man was seriously injured.
Police said two of those with minor injuries were officers and the attacker was identified as a 42-year-old East Jerusalem resident. Public Security Minister Omar Bar Lev told reporters that the gunman was a member of Hamas’ political wing from the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem and the man’s wife had left the country three days ago.
The Hamas terrorist group praised the attack in a statement, but shrugged off responsibility, describing the incident as a “heroic operation”. He later claimed that the attacker was one of its members.
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