Israeli Man Stabbed in Jerusalem Attack, 14-Year-Old Palestinian Assailant Shot Dead
An Israeli man was wounded in a stabbing attack at a light rail station in Jerusalem on Wednesday night. The attacker, identified as a 14-year-old Palestinian, was shot dead by an off-duty Border Police officer at the scene.
The stabbing took place at the Shivtei Israel light rail station, located outside the Old City. The Palestinian assailant, from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina, attacked a man at the station using a large kitchen knife. Other civilians present at the scene tried to disarm the attacker and scuffled with him.
The off-duty Border Police officer, who was aboard the light rail, witnessed the scuffle and realized it was a terror attack. He got off the train, cocked his gun, and fired several rounds at the assailant while civilians were trying to subdue him.
Witnesses described the incident, with one civilian explaining how he kicked the assailant, causing him to drop the knife. Before he could take further action, the police officer had already arrived and neutralized the attacker.
The wounded Israeli man, in his 20s, managed to flee to a nearby street after being stabbed in the back. He was later found by medics and taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center with moderate injuries. The hospital confirmed that the victim arrived fully conscious and in stable condition.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai praised the Border Police officer for his brave response, stating that he prevented a potentially more serious attack. Shabtai commended the vigilance and professionalism of the Israeli forces in thwarting terror attacks and wished the victim a speedy recovery.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, with a series of Palestinian attacks leading to the deaths of 27 civilians and two soldiers since the beginning of the year. In the same period, 176 West Bank Palestinians have been killed, some during clashes with security forces and others during attacks or under unclear circumstances.
Earlier on Wednesday, two Israeli bus drivers were lightly injured after Palestinians pelted their vehicles with stones on the Route 55 highway in the West Bank. Medics treated the drivers and transported them to a hospital, where they were listed in good condition.
In another incident on Wednesday morning, a Palestinian man was shot and seriously wounded by Israeli troops after allegedly ramming them with his vehicle near Hebron. One soldier sustained minor injuries.
The recent wave of attacks highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the challenges faced by Israeli security forces as they work to maintain safety and stability.