One Policewoman Killed as Three Palestinians Armed with Guns, Knives, and Explosives Carry Out Attack in Jerusalem
Jerusalem (TPS) – A 19-year-old policewoman has been killed and two other policewomen were injured in a coordinated terrorist attack involving multiple stabbing and shooting attempts.
The attack was committed shortly after 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 3, at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, the site of several stabbing attacks during the recent wave of terrorism.
According to the Jerusalem Police, the policewomen approached three suspicious men near the Damascus Gate and asked one of them for identification. While the man gave the policewoman his identification card, the other two men produced knives and Carl Gustav M/45 submachine guns and started stabbing and shooting at the policewomen.
“We were touring around the Damascus Gate when suddenly we heard a lot of gunshots,” Jose, a tourist who witnessed the attack, related to Tazpit Press Service (TPS). “From what we could see, there were two or three Palestinian terrorists, all of whom were killed by the police forces. Then we were escorted out of the area by the police.”
Guns, knives, and explosive devices were discovered on the terrorists’ bodies. The bombs were neutralized by a police explosive ordnance disposal team. “The weapons indicate that a combined terrorist attack was planned and prevented by the forces, who protected the city’s residents with their bodies,” said a police spokesperson.
The terrorists managed to stab a total of three border policewomen, including 19-year-old Hadar Cohen who was critically wounded and required resuscitation at the scene. She was transported to Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus in unstable and critical condition where she later succumbed to her wounds. Cohen joined the Israel Police Force only two months ago and was still in training.
Another 19-year-old policewoman sustained serious stab wounds to the neck and was later reported by Hadassah Hospital to have been stabilized while a third victim, a 20-year-old policewoman, was lightly injured.
Many Palestinians who were near the scene of the attack began rioting and even attempted to attack the Israeli medical teams who were treating the victims.
“The situation is still very volatile and sensitive,” Jerusalem Police Deputy Spokeswoman Galit Ziv told TPS. “We are still on high alert, though so far it seems that the situation is under control.”
The three Palestinian terrorists have been identified as Ahmad Abulrub and Muhammad Kamil from Qabatiya and Ahmad Nassar from Jenin, all aged 19-20. According to the Israel Security Agency (ISA), none of the attackers had any prior history of involvement with terrorism.
Jonathan Benedek, Michael Zeff and Alexander J. Apfel contributed to this report.