On Friday evening, Israeli Border Police officer Hadas Malka was killed in a coordinated stabbing and shooting attack in Jerusalem.
Malka, aged 23, was part of a group of officers responding to gunfire near Damascus Gate, where two Palestinian terrorists had attacked Border Police officers with a homemade submachine gun and knives.
On her way to the scene, Malka was attacked by a third assailant and sustained critical injuries. She was transferred to Hadassah Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery but later died of her wounds.
At least four more people were injured in the attacks, including another police officer, and were treated in hospital for light to moderate wounds.
The three Palestinian attackers were shot dead in the act of terror.
Both Islamic State and Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks, though Israeli authorities said that the attacks did not appear to be directed by any group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Palestinian incitement for the attack, and demanded “that the Palestinian Authority condemn the terror attack at Damascus Gate last night”, adding that he “[expects] the world to do the same”.
Middle East Minister Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt MP condemned the attack in his first statement since being appointed last week: “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack that took place on Friday in Jerusalem. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The UK is clear there can be absolutely no justification for terrorism in any circumstances”.
The BBC backtracked after publishing a headline focusing on the deaths of the attackers rather than the victims. The headline read: “Three Palestinians killed after deadly stabbing in Jerusalem”.
The headline was later changed to “Israeli policewoman stabbed to death in Jerusalem” following criticism from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the BBC stating: “We accept that our original headline did not appropriately reflect the nature of the events and subsequently changed it. Whilst there was no intention to mislead our audiences, we regret any offense caused”.
50 victims have been killed in over 389 stabbing, car ramming and shooting attacks carried out by Palestinian terrorists since September 2015. Over 759 people (including a number of Palestinians) have been wounded, many of them seriously.
At least 252 Palestinians have been killed, the overwhelming majority while carrying out terror attacks, and others during clashes and demonstrations.
