Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday ordered to shore up police presence in Jerusalem after a gunman affiliated with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas opened fire in the capital's Old City — killing 26-year-old Eliyahu David Kay and wounding four others who were leaving a prayer sermon nearby — for fear of copycat attacks.
The premier briefed ministers on the details of the attack at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting.
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Police forces raid and search the Shuafat home of Hamas gunman behind shooting attack in Jerusalem on Sunday
The assailant was identified as 42-year-old Fadi Abu Shkhaydam, a schoolteacher from the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem and a senior member of Hamas' political wing. He was shot and killed by security forces during the attack.
Israeli forces reportedly raided and searched Abu Shkhaydam's home but did not find any computers or electronic devices on the premises, indicating that the attack may have been premeditated.
"The public security minister and police commissioner briefed me on the details of the attack," Bennett said at the opening of the meeting. "The forces acted swiftly and two officers and other troops on the scene quickly neutralized the attacker."
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Jerusalem municipal workers wash away blood at the site of the shooting attack in the Old City on Sunday
(Photo: AFP)
"In light of the fact that this was the second attack in days, I've instructed security forces to prepare for further attempts at such attacks."
The prime minister sent his condolences to the family of the victim and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also extended his condolences to the victim's family and vowed to "continue fight terrorism wherever it appears."
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Fadi Abu Shkhaydam was shot dead by security forces after carrying out a fatal terror attack in Jerusalem on Sunday
The attacker arrived in Jerusalem's Old City carrying a Carl Gustaf submachine gun and a knife and opened fire on civilians and security forces on a street leading to the Temple Mount shortly after 9am.
Hamas released a statement shortly after the attack praising the.
"The Holy City continues to fight against the foreign occupier, and will not surrender to the occupation," the statement read. "The youth continues their legitimate fight until they achieve their freedom, liberate their land, and retrieve their holy places."
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Hamas activists hand out sweets to passersby after shooting attack in Jerusalem on Sunday
The terror organization didn't claim responsibility for the attack.
Shortly after, Palestinians were seen handing out sweets to passersby in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip to celebrate the attack.
First published: 13:04, 11.21.21