Terrorist stabs two with screwdriver in Jerusalem

Two Border Police officers are in light condition after being stabbed in the head and upper body with a screwdriver by an Arab terrorist near Lion's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday afternoon.

While details of the attack remain unclear, Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident took place shortly before 1 p.m. Magen David Adom paramedics treated both officers at the scene, before transferring them to Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem.

The unidentified suspect is from the West Bank, and was shot by responding officers, Rosenfeld said. He was also treated at the scene before being rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in critical condition.

Rosenfeld did not confirm reports that a 12-year-old sustained a light head wound during the attack, and is also being treated at an area hospital.

Police temporarily cordoned off the scene, searched for other potential suspects, and have opened an investigation, he said.

Lion's Gate was a flashpoint area during the so-called "stabbing intifada," from September of last year through much of this year.

The last stabbing attack occurred there in May, when a 60-year-old Israeli man was assaulted.

Wednesday's attack came one day after an attempted car ramming occurred when a Palestinian woman drove her vehicle toward Border Police and then charged officers on foot with a knife.

The unidentified Palestinian woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Kalandia Crossing checkpoint, separating Jerusalem from Ramallah.

According to Rosenfeld, the attempted attack took place shortly after 2 p.m., when the suspect drove her car in the wrong direction toward police guarding the checkpoint.

"The officers fired warning shots in the air, and the female terrorist exited her vehicle with a knife and charged them screaming 'Allahu Akbar!,'" said Rosenfeld. "She was disarmed and arrested at the scene without being injured, and the area was temporary closed off." An investigation has been opened, he said.