Israeli police shot and killed a Palestinian man on Wednesday near Damascus Gate leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, witnesses have reported. They told Anadolu that a large contingent of Israeli border police surrounded the man while he was lying on the ground after being shot. No one offered him any medical assistance.
In a written statement, police spokeswoman Loba Semri said that the Palestinian was fired at after he attempted to stab a police officer. “The Arab was neutralised and paralysed,” she said. No information about his status was given by the police, although witnesses said that he was killed by “at least” 15 bullets.
The occupied West Bank and Jerusalem have seen an escalation of tension since the start of this month, when Palestinians clashed with Israeli troops and police in protest at Israel’s aggressive policy towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and the young women who study Shari’ah there.