Gunmen Attack Jerusalem's Temple Mount
Three gunmen opened fire at police near Jerusalem's holiest site on Friday, wounding three Israelis, two of them critically, before the attackers were killed by security forces, Israeli police said.
The gunmen arrived at the sacred site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, and walked towards one of the Old City gates nearby, police spokeswoman Luba Simri said.
When they saw policemen they shot towards them and then escaped towards one of the mosques in the Temple Mount compound. A chase ensued and the three terrorists were killed by police.
She said three firearms were found on their bodies.
The Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom said three Israelis were wounded, two critically.
Holy Site Shut for Friday Prayers
Israeli police announced that Friday's Muslim prayers will not be held at Jerusalem's holiest site after two Israelis were critically wounded in a shooting near the site.
Mobile phone video footage aired by Israeli media showed several policemen chasing a man and shooting him down at the site, which is a popular place for foreign tourists to visit. Israeli authorities are still working to identify the attackers, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials.
The ancient, marble-and-stone compound houses the al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, and the 7th century Dome of the Rock. Thousands pray there every Friday.
Tensions are often high around the marble-and-stone compound that houses the Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock. It is managed by Jordanian authorities and is adjacent to the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray.
Police were still checking whether the gunmen, who were reportedly killed by security forces, were Palestinian, a spokesman said.
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