Palestinian rams car into checkpoint and stabs Israeli policeman

A Palestinian attacker rammed his vehicle into an Israeli checkpoint and stabbed a police officer, before being shot dead.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the attack took place near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, and a sweep of the area found a pipe bomb at the scene.

The Israeli policeman was moderately wounded, he said.

Video footage of the incident shows a white van veering off a road on to the kerb and ramming into the officer, hurling him several feet back. The assailant is then seen jumping out of the vehicle with what looks like a pair of scissors and lunging at the injured policeman.

A scuffle ensues with the policeman retreating and the assailant giving chase before other officers on the scene pursue him off camera.

Police said the other officers on the scene eventually shot the attacker and killed him. There were no other details about the Palestinian’s identity.

Such Palestinian attacks on Israeli police and military positions in the West Bank have been a frequent occurrence in recent years but have tapered off significantly in recent months, especially since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the region pushed many indoors.

However, earlier this week, Israeli forces thwarted a potential attack with Palestinians hurling firebombs at Israeli vehicles.