A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli police forces early on Friday morning near the Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem. The incident occurred shortly before dawn, triggering a heavy military presence that disrupted access for worshippers attempting to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Fajr prayers.
Allegations of Stabbing Attempt
According to claims made by the Israel Police, officers opened fire on the man after suspecting him of attempting to stab one of their personnel. The authorities stated that the shooting resulted in fatal injuries, leading to the man’s death at the scene. No official identification of the deceased has been released by Palestinian sources as of the time of reporting.
Details from Israeli Media Reports
Israeli Channel 12 identified the victim as a 33-year-old resident of East Jerusalem. The channel reported that the man arrived at the location on a motorcycle. Upon dismounting, he allegedly attempted to attack several Israelis around 3:45 AM.
The newspaper Ma’ariv provided further details regarding the sequence of events described by Israeli investigators. The report indicated that Israeli civilians fled the area before Border Police reinforcements arrived. Subsequently, the man allegedly approached a member of the Border Police force while holding a knife. In response, a soldier and a female recruit reportedly opened fire on him.
Security Crackdown and Access Restrictions
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Israeli security forces deployed significant reinforcements to the Old City and the vicinity of the Damascus Gate. A tight security cordon was established around the area, severely restricting movement.
Palestinian sources confirmed that these intensified security measures effectively blocked the path for citizens and worshippers trying to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for morning prayers. The heavy militarization of the zone created significant obstacles for those seeking to perform religious duties during the early hours of Friday.
