Israeli lightly wounded in stabbing attack by Palestinians in Jerusalem

Authorities are searching for the assailant.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: JANUARY 31, 2016 00:51
Palestinian suspect in stabbing of Israeli teen in the Old City of Jerusalem (photo credit: Courtesy)
Palestinian suspect in stabbing of Israeli teen in the Old City of Jerusalem
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A 17-year-old Jewish boy was in satisfactory condition Saturday night after being stabbed in the back by an Arab terrorist while walking with a friend outside the Old City’s Damascus Gate toward the end of Shabbat.
Two suspects, described as minors, were arrested in the Old City about an hour after the 5:45 p.m. stabbing, following an intensive search.
The attack took place on Sultan Suleiman Street, a few meters away from the Damascus Gate, while the unidentified victim and his friend were returning home from praying at the Western Wall, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
“While walking in the area, one of the two teenaged terrorists stabbed him in the back, at which point he collapsed to the ground,” he said shortly after the incident.
“The other suspect, who was also carrying a knife, fled with the assailant.”
Police in the area rushed to the scene and administered first aid until Magen David Adom paramedics arrived to treat the stabbed boy and rushed him to Hadassah-University Medical Center on Mount Scopus, Rosenfeld said.
Both suspects were apprehended without incident while hiding in the Old City after footage obtained from security cameras in the area was reviewed by police.
“The CCTV footage helped create a profile and pictures of the suspects, who are being questioned now to see if they are connected to the attack,” Rosenfeld said. “The investigation is continuing to ensure all the suspects are in custody.”
Despite a heightened police presence, the Damascus Gate area has been the scene of numerous stabbing attacks against officers and Jewish civilians since the terrorism wave in the city began in October.