The Palestinian gunman behind the attack in Jerusalem, which left one man dead and four others wounded, was a senior member of the Hamas terrorist group, Public Security Minister Omer Barlev said on Sunday.
The attacker opened fire on civilians and security forces in the capital's Old City around 9am and was shot dead by troops soon after.
Early reports claimed that the assailant arrived at the scene disguised as an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man, carrying a Carl Gustaf submachine gun and a knife.
Fadi Abu Shkhaydam, a 42-year-old school teacher from the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem, was known to police as a member of Hamas' political wing but was not considered a terror threat.
Barlev said he believed the attack was premeditated since Abu Shkhaydam's wife left the country several days prior.
"The terrorist came here every day to pray on the Temple Mount, and today he decided to come here with the weapon," Barlev said.
"The whole incident lasted just over 30 seconds. Two police officers opened fire at the terrorist while another policeman and a Border Police officer shot him from above."
Hamas issued a statement shortly after the attack, praising the gunman.
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Security forces and first responders arrive on the scene of the attack in Jerusalem's Old City
(Photo: Amit Shabi)
"The Holy City continues to fight against the foreign occupier, and will not surrender to the occupation," the group said. "The youth continues their legitimate fight until they achieve their freedom, liberate their land, and retrieve their holy places."
The terror organization did not claim responsibility for the attack.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group commended "the heroic attack in Jerusalem" and called it "a natural response to the terrorism performed by Israeli settlers and soldiers."
First published: 11:10, 11.21.21