Israeli Police Officer Wounded in Suspected Stabbing Attack in Jerusalem's Old City

An Israeli border police officer was moderately wounded on Monday evening in a suspected stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City.

On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers entered the Palestinian village of Sawahira al-Sharqiya and arrested the mother and two brothers of the suspect, local residents reported.

Palestinian media names Ashraf Hassan Atallah Halasa, 30, as the assailant in the attack Jerusalem's Lions' Gate.

The police said the incident took place at 8.40 P.M. when the attacker arrived at the Bab Huta entrance to the Temple Mount. After stabbing a policeman, the attacker was fired at by security forces and “neutralized,” the police statement says.

Magen David Adom rescue services spokespeople said the officer was in moderate condition after being stabbed, adding he was evacuated to the hospital. It added that he is conscious and in stable condition. The police statment also relates that a woman, who was in the vicinity of the incident, was treated for a moderate injury.

“Once again, an immediate and determined response by police officers and among them Border Police fighters led to an instant neutralization of the attack, and prevented further damage on the police force,” the police statement says.

Following the incident, police announced the closure of the Temple Mount gates.