"When I saw the terrorist move towards my friends, I stood in his way so that he wouldn't hurt them," said on Sunday Lance Corporal S., the Border Police soldier who was stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist nearthe Cave of Patriarchs.
"When he approached me, he pulled out his knife and starting stabbing me all over my body. He tried to run away but I didn't let him. I grabbed the hand that was holding the knife and stopped him from running towards the soldiers at the other posts," S. recounted from his hospital bed at the Sha'are Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
S. told his commanders that "After my confrontation with the terrorist, I saw soldiers running towards him, ready to fire."
"I hope to recover as soon as possible so I can go back to my friends and to the unit," he added.
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Commander of Border Police visits wounded soldier (Photo: Police Spokesman Unit)
(צילום: חטיבת דובר המשטרה)
On Saturday night, the Palestinian attacker rushed a combat unit, stabbing S. in his head and chest, before the other soldiers fired at him.
Magen David Adom emergency personnel treated the soldier and he was evacuated to Sha'are Tzedek Medical Center in moderate condition; the terrorist succumbed to his wounds later in the evening.
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Border Police officer evacuated to hospital following attack (Photo: Amit Shabi)
(צילום: עמית שאבי "ידיעות אחרונות")
Border Police Officer First Sergeant G., one of the soldiers who shot the terrorist, said: "During a routine operation near the Cave of Patriarchs, a Palestinian suddenly arrived and started stabbing one of the soldiers who was with me. I opened fire in order to neutralize the terrorist, while he was leaning over my friend and stabbing him."
"When the incident lasts several seconds, there is no time to hesitate. We have to exercise good judgment and act immediately. That is how the soldiers in the Border Police are trained. I, along with the rest of the soldiers in the company, pray for the rapid recovery of our friend."
Major General Amos Yaakov, Commander of the Border Police, visited S. and told him: "You acted with determination and professionalism, doing so at risk to your life. Part of the job of being in the Border Police is to be at the most sensitive places, be vigilant, and prepared for any scenario."