An attempted stabbing attack was thwarted near the Shalem police station, just outside Jerusalem's Old City, on Wednesday overnight, Israel police announced on Thursday.
According to reports, the Border Police officers at the police station killed a terrorist who tried to rush towards the officers with a knife in his hand, intending to stab them. The terrorist's death was confirmed shortly thereafter at the scene.
The incident occurred around 03:00 on Thursday, when the terrorist, whose identity is still unknown, was stopped and asked for identification by Border Police officers after acting suspiciously.
During the inspection, the unknown terrorist pulled out a knife and rushed towards the soldiers, attempting to stab them. The soldiers opened fire at him, and he was killed.
His death was confirmed at the scene thereafter.
Police open investigation
Following the incident, large police forces from the Jerusalem District Police, under the command of the Jerusalem District Police, arrived at the scene and collected evidence of the attack to identify the terrorist. Police and IDF forces identified the terrorist's house and entered it in an attempt to find evidence that would indicate the terrorist's intention and plan to carry out the attack.
Additionally, the police announced that it would interrogate the terrorist's family to determine if someone among them was aware of his intention but did not report beforehand.
Additionally, the police will map the terrorist's house in preparation for obtaining a demolition order.
There were no casualties among Israeli forces, and the knife used in the attempted attack was confiscated. Efforts to identify the assailant continue within the Jerusalem District Police at this time.