The incident, which took place shorty after 7:00 a.m., is the second attack in Jerusalem’s Old City within the past month and resulted in the closure of the Temple Mount to Muslim worshipers on Friday.Magen David Adom initially reported that three Israeli males in their 30s were injured, two of whom were in critical condition, and one who was lightly injured and fully conscious. The critically injured were transported to Hadassah University Medical Center, and the lightly wounded was taken to Sha'are Zedek Medical Center.Police are investigating how the assailants were able to get the weapons, which included a handgun, two Carlo Gustav rifles, and a knife, past strict security. Jerusalem Chief of Police Yoram Halevi has ordered the Temple mount closed and evacuated, and Friday prayers at the site were cancelled. All gates to the Old City of Jerusalem have been closed.Palestinian sources told Israeli Reshet Bet that Israeli police allegedly arrested a number of Wakf guards and confiscated their cell phones. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure of the Temple Mount for the day for security reasons. The area is being checked to insure there are no more weapons there.The Prime Minister's Office stressed that "the status quo will be preserved."Netanyahu also received updates from the head of the security agencies including the defense minister and the IDF chief-of-staff. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan called the attack a “red line” which will “require us to examine the security arrangements on the Temple Mount and around it.” US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman also responded and offered his condolences.Confirmed. Two #Israel police officers killed in #JerusalemAttack identified as Hayil Stawi and Kamil Shnan. pic.twitter.com/M5l6T6uIQW
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) July 14, 2017
Hamas television station Al Aksa called the attack a 'heroic act,' but Hamas has not yet claimed responsibility for it. Israeli media reports that two of the three terrorists had posted a shared selfie on social media moments before the attack with the caption 'Tomorrow our smile will be sweeter.' Thursday's attack comes nearly a month after border police officer St.-Sgt. Maj. Hadas Malka, 23, was stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant next to Jerusalem's Damascus gate. Eliyahu Kamisher contributed to this reportShocked and horrified by the despicable attack today in Jerusalem. Terrorism must be condemned by all and defeated. We pray for the victims.
— Ambassador Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) July 14, 2017