Jordanian shot dead in Jerusalem knife attack

JERUSALEM

A Jordanian man was shot dead Saturday in an alleged stabbing attack in East Jerusalem, according to Israeli police.

In a statement, police spokesperson Luba Sumari said an assailant armed with a knife stabbed an Israeli police officer at Al-Silsila gate in Jerusalem’s old city.

"The police at the scene shot the assailant, resulting in his death,” Sumari said.

Police identified the attacker as Muhammad Abdullah Salim al-Qassagi, a 57-year-old Jordanian citizen, who arrived in Israel a week ago.

Sumari said the officer was moderately injured in the attack.

There was no comment from either the Jordanian or Palestinian side on the report.

Since October of 2015, more than 275 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli police during -- or immediately after -- alleged attacks on Israelis or in clashes with Israeli security forces, according to Palestinian figures.

The Israeli authorities, meanwhile, say at least 48 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians over the same period.