Stabbing attack on Purim in Jerusalem
As Jerusalem celebrates the festival of Purim, Jabel Mukaber resident approaches the Lions' Gate in the Old City before stabbing and moderately wounding two Israel Border Police soldiers at a military guard post; After a brief scuffle, one of the victims manages to pull off a shot, killing the terrorist.
Two 20-year-old border policemen were moderately wounded early Monday morning after being stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist—who was later identified as 25-year-old Ibrahim Mattar—near the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem.
Police have confirmed that the attacker, a resident of Jabel Mukaber, was shot dead by one of the injured officers.
MDA teams evacuated the two to Hadassah Medical Center for treatment.
Following the attack, police forces converged on the home of the terrorist in Jabel Mukaber and detained several people, including family members.
According to police, the terrorist arrived at the scene at around 4am and parked his car nearby. After noticing the two border policemen taking up positions near the gate, the terrorist followed them to their post and began stabbing them.
The two officers managed to shove the terrorist out of the guard post and one managed to shoot and kill him.
This is the first attack to have taken place in the area in three months. During the wave of terror, the landmark was one of the flashpoints of terror-related violence and stabbing attacks.
In accordance with security assessments surrounding the holiday, a general closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be enforced until midnight.
