Policeman killed as driver rams car into crowd in Jerusalem terror attack

A driver has rammed his car into a crowd of pedestrians in East Jerusalem before getting out and attacking people with a metal bar - killing one and injuring 13. The man was shot dead at the scene by police, who described the incident as a “hit-and-run terror attack”. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri indicated that the incident took place on the border between west and annexed East Jerusalem. Emergency services spokesman Zaki Heller said the car had driven down the light rail tracks then ploughed into people waiting on the platform. Police named the attacker as 38-year-old Palestinian Ibrahim al-Akri, who they said had recently been released from prison after serving time for security offences.

A commercial vehicle hit and ran over pedestrians at a light rail station.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any Palestinian organisation but Hamas, the group which runs Gaza, praised the attack and called for more violence. A similar attack took place in the same area on October 23. It came as Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters at the city’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after hardline Jewish nationalists announced plans to visit the site despite weeks of soaring tensions. Jordan announced it was recalling its ambassador to Israel in protest at the Jewish state’s “violations” in Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Middle East Jerusalem