Israel has witnessed a spate of terror attacks on Tuesday morning in Jerusalem, Raanana and Haifa. At least three people have been killed and scores injured in attacks in the Israeli capital and Raanana, Haaretz is reporting.
The most serious attack took place in Armon HaNatziv area of Jerusalem, where two terrorists reportedly entered a bus with one opening fire on commuters and the other using a knife. They were shot dead by a police officer who was at the scene.
At least 16 people were wounded and eight are in serious condition, while Haaretz is reporting that two of the victims have died. One of the attackers was killed by police, while the other is in a serious condition.
The Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat says he has asked the Israeli security forces to close the city’s Arab neighborhoods to try and limit the violence.
Upon visiting the scene of the deadly bus attack at Armon Hanatziv neighborhood, he said: "We shouldn't allow them to enter … the lives of the residents of Jerusalem are more important than anything else."
The Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel has joined those who are calling for more restrictions to be imposed on those living in East Jerusalem.
"The security forces must take resolute action in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods… The residents of East Jerusalem must understand that they cannot lead a normal life while terrorism continues on the streets of Israel,” he said, as cited by Haaretz.
Unlike those living in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians in East Jerusalem are able to travel into Israel without any restrictions.
GRAPHIC & DISTURBING FOOTAGE
In a separate attack in the Israeli capital on Malkei Israel Street, an Israeli male has died after an attacker drove a car into a bus stop. The suspect left the vehicle and began to stab passers-by. The attacker was subsequently shot by police.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, two attacks took place in the central Israeli city of Raanana, which is a northern suburb of Tel Aviv. The first incident saw an attack on one of the main roads, Ahuza Street, where a man, who was later confirmed to be a resident of East Jerusalem tried to stab another man at a bus stop.
Amateur video distributed by police showed several men kicking and beating the alleged assailant as he lay on the ground. The ambulance service said he was seriously hurt.
Within an hour of that attack, another knife-wielding Palestinian struck in Raanana, wounding four people, police and media reports said, as cited by Reuters. The attacker was later caught by police.
A fifth stabbing on Tuesday was reported in Kiryat Ata near the northern city of Haifa. The victim was a Jewish man who was on the end of the receiving end of a failed revenge attack by another Israeli Jew, who believed the man was an Arab because of his complexion.
The 22 year-old victim has been taken to hospital and is in a stable condition, having suffered a knife wound to his upper torso.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will convene an emergency meeting of the security cabinet at 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT), following the spate of attacks across the country.
Meanwhile, the Israeli law enforcement chief Benzi Sau says the police will present a comprehensive plan to try and put an end to the recent spate of terror attacks.
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The main Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas declared a ‘Day of Rage’ on Tuesday across the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem to accuse Israel of "escalating its crimes against our people" and carrying out "summary executions.”
Stabbings of Israelis have become a daily occurrence and have raised speculation that Palestinians could be embarking on another intifada.