Palestinian man stabs Israeli police officer, then shot dead in Ashkelon

A Palestinian man stabbed an Israeli police officer in Ashkelon on Tuesday morning before being shot dead by the policeman, the Israel Police said in a statement.

The officer sustained light wounds and was evacuated to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.

The officer had noticed a man acting suspiciously in Ashkelon’s Ir Hayin area and proceeded to initiate a security check, according to police.

During the examination, the suspect drew a knife and attacked the officer, who opened fire, killing him.

The assailant was a resident of Hebron, according to police.

Following the incident, Cmdr. Peretz Amar, head of the police’s Southern District, arrived on the scene and conducted a situation assessment.

Asst. Cmdr. Barak Mordechai, commander of the police’s Lachish sub-district, visited the wounded officer in hospital.

During the visit, Mordechai said, “Your actions thwarted a terror attack that could have also been directed against civilians. Your rapid response and determination led to a fast neutralization of the terrorist, just as is expected from every police officer and commander in the organization.”

On Monday, Kan News reported that a Palestinian Authority police officer attempted to carry out a terror attack in Vered Yeriho in the Jordan Valley.

The officer attempted to enter the community but was rebuffed by a security guard. He then “fired a full magazine into the air,” said Kan.

A Palestinian Authority security source denied any connection to the “severe act,” telling Kan the officer “does not represent [Palestinian] security forces.”