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Israeli authorities identified the attacker as a Hamas militant, who was fatally shot after the Palestinian killed an Israeli citizen and wounded four others, including two policemen, in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Naftali Benett announced the dispatch of new police teams to reinforce security in the city, following the second violent incident in a week.
The historic city of Jerusalem, a point of contention between Israelis and Palestinians, has once again become the epicenter of violence.
On November 21, a Palestinian man attacked a group of civilians with a firearm, in which one citizen died and four others were injured. Immediately the attacker was shot dead by the Israeli police.
“Recently, a shooting took place in the Old City of Jerusalem. The terrorist was neutralized and there are currently wounded who are receiving medical treatment,” reported a police spokesman.
Soon after, Israeli authorities identified the attacker as Abu Shekheidem, a 42-year-old man from East Jerusalem and a militant from the Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. An Islamist movement with a political and an armed wing, which Israel, the United States and the European Union consider terrorist.
This morning a Palestinian terrorist opened fire on Israeli civilians in Jerusalem, murdering one and injuring four.
The terrorist, a known member of the Hamas terrorist org. was neutralized.
Our prayers are with the families & loved ones of the victims.pic.twitter.com/oPQn1pQi3O
– Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) November 21, 2021
Hamas confirmed that the named individual belonged to its group and applauded the attack, as did the Islamic Jihad movement.
“This Holy City will continue to fight until it expels the foreign occupier and will not succumb to the hateful reality of the occupation,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said.
Israeli Prime Minister orders new police contingents to be sent to Jerusalem
This is the second violent incident in Jerusalem in less than a week, inside the walled city.
Last Wednesday, two Israeli agents were injured with a knife by a 16-year-old Palestinian from an East Jerusalem neighborhood, who was killed during the attack by other officers and a security guard.
Following the new aggression, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Benett ordered the dispatch of new police contingents.
“I have ordered the security forces to prepare accordingly and be on the alert, also regarding concerns about copycat attacks,” the premier stated.
Bennett also welcomed the UK government’s recent intention to classify Hamas, in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. A motion announced on Friday by British Foreign Secretary Priti Patel and which will be presented to Parliament next week. Thus, expressing support for Hamas, carrying its flags or attending meetings of the organization on British soil could be a crime liable to jail time.
Sunday’s attack took place near an entrance to a controversial shrine, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Shrine. The violence surrounding the site, which is considered sacred by both religions, has sparked a series of previous clashes between Israel and the Palestinians.
In addition to the wide and complex divergences between the two peoples, Jerusalem is permanently a point of long-standing confrontation between both parties who claim the city as their capital.
With Reuters and EFE
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