Jerusalem, 8 March, 2022 (TPS) — Israel’s security forces and citizens have faced five terror attacks in the past week which left eight people injured, a string of attacks Israel fears will intensify ahead of the Muslim month of Ramadan.
On Wednesday, a citizen was moderately wounded in a stabbing attack in Hizmeh. Another citizen was moderately injured in Hizmeh on Thursday. The terrorist responsible for both attacks was captured that same day.
On Sunday, a terrorist carried out a stabbing attack at the Lions’ Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, moderately injuring two policemen. The terrorist was shot dead.
On Monday night, another stabbing attack occurred in the vicinity of the Temple Mount, in which two policemen were moderately injured. The terrorist was shot dead.
Later on Monday night, two Border Policemen were injured in a vehicular attack in Samaria.
Minister of Public Security Omer Barlev stated after the stabbing attack in the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday night that “terrorists and extremists will continue to try to set the area on fire and the Jerusalem District Police will continue to be vigilant. Once again disaster is averted thanks to the quick and determined response.”
Following the wave of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem, the police decided to augment its forces in the city and increase enforcement activity against illegals staying in the city without the required permits.
A police source is quoted as saying that “the sequence of attacks is worrying, we are preparing for an escalation ahead of Ramadan next month. The next terrorist may be hiding among the thousands of illegals.”
These attacks occurred a month before the Muslim month of Ramadan commences, on April 2. The month of Ramadan usually spells an uptick in Muslim violence and acts of terrorism in Israel.
The country’s security establishment is bracing for violence, especially as Ramadan coincides with Passover, and following Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021, which was launched by the IDF following a Hamas rocket attack on Jerusalem that began at the height of the Month of Ramadan.
Israeli analyst Yoni Ben Menachem, of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), wrote Monday that Israeli security forces are “preparing for a security escalation in Jerusalem that could spread to the West Bank, to mixed [Jewish-Arab] cities in Israel and to the Gaza Strip border. It is estimated that Hamas is pushing for a major escalation ahead of Ramadan and ahead of the anniversary of Operation Guardian of the Walls.”
IDF Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eitan Dangot, the former coordinator of government operations in Judea and Samaria, told IDF Radio on Tuesday that “we are seeing an escalation in small arms attacks, knives, and car rammings. The Ramadan period gives a boost to this atmosphere, but it is not the direct cause of terrorism – the motivation to terrorize has increased.”
