A 30-year-old Israeli man was killed and four people wounded in a combined shooting/stabbing terrorist attack at the Chain Gate near the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday morning.
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One of the victims sustained critical wounds and was evacuated to a Jerusalem hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Another man with moderate to serious wounds was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The remaining three victims sustained minor wounds.
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The name of the man who was fatally wounded was later reported by authorities as 26-year-old Eliyahu David Kay, a recent immigrant from South Africa. He was an employee of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation as a visitors' guide and was murdered on his way to work.
Arie Yaffa, a doctor who volunteers with United Hatzolah, said, "There is a wounded man in critical condition and another in moderate condition, but conscious. We administered first aid at the scene, while trying to resuscitate the critically wounded victim, who was taken to the hospital."
The Temple Mount was closed to Jewish visitors following the attack. Large contingents of security forces were scrambled to the scene.
The Israel Police said that the shooter used a homemade "Carlo" machine gun to open fire on civilians and security forces near the Chain Gate and was shot and killed by security forces. A second terrorist, armed with a knife, fled the scene, avoiding capture.
Visiting the scene of the attack, Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said, "The police neutralized the terrorist within 32 seconds, cutting off the attack. The terrorist is known to us, but not as someone involved in terrorist activity."
Police also stressed that despite earlier media reports, the terrorist had not been disguised as a Haredi Jew.
Shabtai briefed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on the incident. Bennett instructed the police to be on high alert and increase deployment on the ground to prevent copycat attacks. He commended security forces for their swift action.
The terrorist has been identified as Fadi Abu Shahidam, 42, a resident of the Shuafat refugee camp, who is affiliated with the Hamas terrorist organization.
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."
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev said that the attacker had been a member of Hamas' political wing and that his wife had apparently traveled out of Israel before the attack could take place.
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