Israel: Police Officer Injured in Knife Attack in Jerusalem

An Israeli police officer was injured on Friday (16.05.2025) in a knife attack in the Old City of Jerusalem, according to an announcement by the police service, which added that the attacker was ‘neutralized.’ The officer was stabbed in the Old City of Jerusalem, as per the Israeli police statement. Security forces immediately fired at the ‘suspect’ with the knife, who was ‘neutralized,’ the same source added without initial clarifications. Subsequently, the police announced that the officer who was attacked noticed ‘suspicious’ behavior from the attacker before ‘the terrorist suddenly attacked the officer and stabbed him in the back with a knife.’ Another officer and a border guard ‘reacted quickly and neutralized the terrorist. His death was confirmed on the scene,’ according to the same source. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Magen David Adom, Israel’s equivalent of the Red Cross, stated in a press release that it provided on-site care to the 25-year-old officer before he was transported to the hospital. The injured officer ‘retained full consciousness.’ The incident occurred near a gate providing access to the Temple Mount plaza, in East Jerusalem, a sector of the holy city for three religions that remains under occupation and annexed by Israel. The third holiest site in Islam, the Temple Mount plaza, was built over the ruins of the second Jewish temple destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. For Jews, it is known as the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. It lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and often sparks tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.