Thirteen-Year-Old Palestinian Held Over shooting in Jerusalem
Police says a 13 -year old Palestinian boy was behind a shooting in Jerusalem on Saturday.
Two people – an Israeli father and son – were seriously wounded. The attacker was shot and injured by passers by and is being held in hospital.
It came after seven people were killed, and at least three more injured, in a shooting on Friday at a synagogue in East Jerusalem.
Police have arrested 42 people in connection with that attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli’s response would be “strong, swift and precise.”
Ahead of a meeting of his security cabinet, Mr Netanyahu called for calm and urged citizens to allow security forces to carry out their tasks. He also thanked several world leaders including US President Joe Biden.
Describing Saturday’s incident, which took place in the Silwan neighbourhood just outside Jerusalem’s Old City, a spokesperson for the Israeli police previously said the assailant ambushed five people as they made their way to prayers, leaving two in a “critical condition.”
“This is a significant rise in the level of terror,” said Dean Elsdunne, adding that the “terrorist” is being treated in hospital.
In response to the two attacks, authorities have positioned officers from a counter-terrorism unit “permanently” in the Jerusalem area to “promptly respond to exceptional events whenever necessary.”
The man who attacked the synagogue on Friday was identified by local media as a Palestinian from East Jerusalem.
Speaking at the scene of the attack on Friday, Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai called it “one of the worst attacks we have encountered in recent years.”
Israeli worshippers had gathered for prayers at the start of the Jewish Sabbath in a synagogue in the city’s Neve Yaakov neighbourhood and were leaving when the gunman opened fire, at about 20:15 local time, 18:15 GMT.
Police said that officers then shot him dead.
“Palestinian militant groups praised the attack, but did not say one of their members was responsible.”
Tensions have been high since nine Palestinians – both militants and civilians – were killed during an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.
This was followed by rocket fire into Israel from Gaza, which Israel responded to with air strikes.
Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq
