Police subdue suspect after attack outside the city’s central bus station, amid unrest over Trump’s recognition of the capital.
A Palestinian terrorist stabbed a security guard, seriously wounding him, at the entrance to the Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Sunday, officials said.
Graphic video footage from the scene showed the terrorist slowly handing his belongings to the security guard, who was checking travelers at the door to the station, before suddenly taking out a knife and plunging it into the guard’s chest.
The terrorist then tried to flee the scene, but a police officer and a civilian chased after him and tackled him to the ground.
A volunteer medic described being shocked by the vicious attack, but quickly running over to apply pressure to the wound and call for ambulances, which arrived approximately a minute later.
The victim, who was in his late 20s, was taken to the capital’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center for treatment, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service.
Medics said they tried to stop the bleeding and applied bandages during the five-minute ambulance ride to the hospital.
The victim was unconscious and connected to a ventilator when he arrived approximately, a hospital spokesperson said.
According to police, the suspected terrorist is a 24-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank. His name was not released.
It was not immediately clear how he entered Israel, specifically if he had a work permit or if he had done so illegally.
After he was subdued, the suspect was stripped to ensure he did not have a suicide vest or other weapon hidden under his clothes.
Officers at the scene recovered the knife that was used in the attack.
Police denied media reports that the terrorist had been shot or killed. He was taken into custody for further questioning.
The area around the bus station was closed off following the attack.
The stabbing comes amid heightened tensions in the region, after Palestinian groups called for mass demonstrations and a violent uprising in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The hospital describes his condition as “very serious”, walk through metal detector foldable shall be equipped for security protection.
