Just one hour after Israel came to a standstill, with the majority of the Jewish state observing the Day of Atonement through fasting and prayer, a Palestinian man attempted to carry out a stabbing attack near Jerusalem’s old city. The police spokesperson’s unit released a video, in which the suspect can be seen attacking an ultra-orthodox Israeli. Several moments later, police opened fire and neutralized the attacker, who charged the officers with a screw-driver in hand. Police spokesman Miki Rosenfeld told TV7 that while the Israeli man was seen in the video falling to the ground, he did not sustain any injuries, as the terrorist failed to stab him. Police identified the terrorist as a 26-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank town of Qalandia.
During the Day of Atonement, multiple riots were instigated in several locations along Israel’s border-fence in the Gaza Strip, with the participation of hundreds of Palestinian rioters. The IDF spokesperson’s unit said that the rioters rolled burning tires toward the security fence, and hurled firebombs and rocks towards IDF soldiers. In one reported incident, several Palestinian managed to cross the security fence, after which they immediately returned into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The IDF said that “a gas tank and means to light a fire were left adjacent to the fence.” No injuries were reported, and no damage was caused to the security barrier. In response to the violent protests, the IDF said it used “riot dispersal means and fired in accordance with standard operating procedures,” which are dictated by Jerusalem.