A video has surfaced showing Israeli police responding to an attack by three Israeli Arab gunmen in Jerusalem Friday.
The attack took place near the al-Aqsa mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif, in Jerusalem’s Old City. Two Israeli officers were killed in the attack, with a third injured. The compound is considered the holiest site in Jerusalem for both Jews and Muslims, as it houses both the al-Aqsa mosque and the Western Wall.
WATCH:
#Palestinian attackers opened on an #Israel|i policeman in #Jerusalem. The incident happened near the Temple Mount. pic.twitter.com/Ti5K5RH1Ui
— Ali Özkök (@A_Ozkok) July 14, 2017
The video appears to show Israeli forces responding to the scene of the crime. One of the first responders told Israel’s i24 News that he thought the incident was over once reaching the area, as the terrorists appeared to be “neutralized.” While treating one of the wounded, the responder said he suddenly heard yelling.
“I didn’t really understand what was going on for a second, and then I realized that the terrorist that was apparently dead wasn’t and he got up and tried attacking the police officers and they shot and killed him on scene,” said the man.
Police say the Arab gunmen fired on their victims from the Lions’ Gate. They were then pursued by Israeli forces into the compound, where they were shot and killed. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hailed the policemen as heroes who prevented a larger massacre.
“The murderous terror attack at the Temple Mount was stopped by the courageous Israeli policemen who threw themselves in the way, and prevented an even greater disaster,” said Rivlin in a statement communicated by his spokesman. He added that Israelis cannot be dragged into a “bloody war” as a result of the terrorists’ actions.
“The State of Israel will defend its sovereignty and its citizens with a strong hand, and will not allow anyone to provoke the region into a bloody war,” said Rivlin.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack while speaking to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone.
Rivlin called on the Arab leaders both inside and outside of Israel “to express a clear position against this criminal attack.”
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