Three injured in Jerusalem stabbing attack

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Two Israeli civilians have been killed in Jerusalem during a stabbing attack today.

Two Palestinian assailants stabbed Jewish pedestrians outside Jerusalem’s Old City, Israeli police said, the latest in an wave of violence that has gripped the region.

One Israeli later died from his injuries and another man, who was apparently wounded by the police as they shot at the Palestinian assailants, also died.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the attack happened outside the city’s Jaffa Gate, a popular spot for tourists visiting Jerusalem’s walled Old City.

She said police shot both assailants who were later identified as Palestinians in their early 20s from the West Bank. One died at the scene and the second later in hospital.

A 45-year-old Israeli man died from multiple stab wounds, while a 40-year-old man died from gunshot wounds, hospital officials said. Ms Samri had said earlier that one of the wounded may have been shot by police officers who were firing at the Palestinian assailants.

Since mid-September, near-daily Palestinian stabbing, shooting and car ramming attacks have killed 20 Israelis and an American student. At least 120 Palestinians have died by Israeli fire in the same period, including 82 said by Israel to be attackers. The rest have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces.

Israel says the violence is a result of a Palestinian campaign of lies and incitement. Palestinians say it stems from frustration at nearly five decades of Israeli military rule.

ZAKA volunteer Shimi Grossman said: “This was a serious terror attack. Two terrorists stabbed two Israelis at the entrance to the Jaffa Gate. Both terrorists were neutralized by the security forces who were in the area. One Israeli was badly injured, the other one lightly to moderately injured and both were evacuated to hospital. A team of ZAKA volunteers are working to clear the terror site.”