One Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli police forces on Sunday morning after he opened fire at two Jewish settlers in the Old City of Occupied Jerusalem.
According to the Hebrew media the shooting incident happened in Bab as-Silsila area that leads to the Aqsa Mosque.
The two settlers were wounded by Palestinian gunfire and taken to hospital for treatment. One of them in his 30s suffered a head injury and succumbed to his wounds. The other settler a 46-year-old is still in a serious condition. Two police officers aged 30 and 31 were also lightly injured by shrapnel.
Initial reports said the shooter opened fire with a Carlo an improvised submachine gun.
The Hebrew media claimed that another Palestinian escaped after he attempted to stab police officers in the area but other news reports said the gunman acted alone and the incident is still under investigation.
Consequently the Israeli police closed the Aqsa Mosque’s doors and gates and evacuated Jewish settlers who defiled the Islamic holy site in the morning from the Mosque and the Old City’s streets.
Muslim worshipers and Islamic Awqaf employees were also forced to leave the Mosque.
Other police measures were taken across the Old City and Palestinian neighborhoods around it including closure of roads and raids on homes.
The Palestinian martyr who was dressed up in ultra-Orthodox Jewish attire was identified as Fadi Abu Shakhedem from east Jerusalem.
