Another round of hostilities between Hamas and Israel may have been averted on Sunday thanks to the quick response of Israeli security forces to neutralize the terrorist who killed one and wounded four near Temple Mount.
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According to Commander Erez Tavor, who heads the Operations Division of the Israel Police in the capital, "things could have escalated" had security forces not shot and killed the terrorist, a member of Hamas' political wing from a Jerusalem neighborhood commonly known as the Shuafat refugee camp.
According to Tavor, "there is always intelligence threat warnings and we have been on alert for quite a long time, especially in recent weeks, both for lone-wolf attacks and coordinated attacks." He noted that "old city is being reinforced with troops on a daily basis, and this was clearly evident in the rapid response of the officers who engaged the attacker within 23 seconds of the first shot fired."
The terrorist, who has been identified as 42-year-old Fadi Abu Shahidam, used a knife and an improvised firearm to stage the attack, which led to the death of Eliyahu David Kay. Kay was on his way to work at the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, where he provided tours of the holy site. Four others were injured, including two police officers.
Hamas praised the terrorists and called for more attacks. Spokesman Hazem Qassem said, "This is a commando action in occupied Jerusalem. The city will continue to wage war until the occupying entity is driven out."
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued his condolences to the family Kay following the release of his name. "Heartbreaking news about Eliyahu Kay, who was murdered today by a Hamas terrorist in Jerusalem. Eliyahu, originally from South Africa, was a Western Wall guide & soon to be married. I mourn with his family & strengthen them at this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing," Bennett tweeted through the official prime minister's account.
Just hours after the attack in Jerusalem a second incident took place in Jaffa, where a 67-year-old man was stabbed in the back 5 times and was rushed to the hospital with moderate wounds.
The perpetrator – a Palestinian who had entered Israel without proper permits – also tried to carry out an attack on the victim's partner. Authorities suspect a terrorist motive.
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