Security boosted amid fears of more Israel stabbing attacks

Security is being stepped up over fears of a resurgence of stabbing attacks by Palestinians as the Jewish holiday season approaches. It comes after Israeli forces shot dead one Palestinian assailant and wounded another in the West Bank and two Israeli police officers were attacked outside one of the entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City. After a period of relative calm, there have been eight such attacks in the last 72 hours, according to the Israeli authorities. Two Palestinians who tried to stab Israeli paramilitary border policemen in the border town of Hebron were shot on Monday, police said.

Security assessments are being made all the time - especially around Old Jerusalem, bus stations and traffic hubs. We will make the arrangements as and when we need them.

Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld

One of the men was killed and the other critically injured in the incident near the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a site holy to Jews and Muslims, who call it the Ibrahimi Mosque. In a separate incident at around 7.30am, Israeli police said a Palestinian man from East Jerusalem stabbed a 45-year-old male officer in the neck. He then stabbed a 38-year-old female officer - also in the neck - injuring her critically. Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told Sky News the patrol was followed and they were attacked from behind. The assailant was shot and is now in a serious condition in hospital. Israel’s security forces have been placed on high alert as the Jewish holiday season approaches next month.

Middle East