Attempted Stabbing In Jerusalem's Old City, Attacker Dead

Jerusalem, 8 March, 2016 (TPS) -- Jerusalem (TPS) – A 50-year-old Palestinian woman attempted to commit a stabbing attack on Israeli border policemen near Jerusalem’s Western Wall on Tuesday morning, March 8.

According to the police, the attacker approached the border policemen in the Old City, took a knife out of her bag, and attempted to stab the policemen.  The policemen who were in immediate danger responded by shooting the attacker.

“The swift and professional response by the policemen definitely prevented casualties among the security forces and among innocent civilians,” said Jerusalem District Police Commander Doron Turgeman. “Policemen in Jerusalem are trained to neutralize threats and we remain on high alert for the safety of the public.”

Magen David Adom took the assailant, Fadwa Abu Tayyar, a resident of eastern Jerusalem, to a nearby hospital. The assailant died of her wounds.

Shortly after the incident, another potential stabbing attack was prevented by IDF forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem. The IDF caught a Palestinian woman carrying a knife while they screened her baggage.

The Palestinian woman was arrested and admitted during interrogation that she had been carrying the knife in order to commit a stabbing attack against Israelis.

Yesterday, a 60-year-old Japanese tourist was attacked near the location of today’s attack when rocks were pelted at her while she and a group were visiting St. Anne’s Church.

Michael Bachner contributed to this report.