The Israeli army soldiers opened fire on a young Palestinian, killing
him. According to reports the incident occurred yesterday evening in
Silwan, a neighborhood east of Jerusalem occupied and annexed (by
Israel).
This latest episode of violence comes just three days after the
attack of the 39 year-old Palestinian Musbah Abu Sbaih on civilian and
military targets, which killed three people including the bomber.
The 20 year old attacker Shiouki Ali, was openly challenging the
deployment of police and army soldiers stationed by the Israeli
government in recent days in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The massive
deployment of forces is an attempt to ward off attacks to coincide with
Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of forgiveness, which began yesterday
and ends today.
Jerusalem police are on high alert and the Palestinian territories are
sealed off, to prevent the passage of personnel and equipment from the
Territories and from Gaza. The goal is to prevent possible attacks
against the tens of thousands of faithful and tourists who arrive for
the most solemn celebration of the Jewish calendar to visit the Old City
and the Western Wall. Security was further tightened after the attack
on October 9.
According to Israeli sources there are at least 3 thousand
agents spread throughout the city, to protect the safety of the
faithful and pilgrims.
Tensions are high because Palestinians fear that Israel, which
controls all access to the Temple Mount, will eventually divide the
territory and allow entry only to Jewish worshipers to pray.
Starting in October 2015, after a series of provocations by
ultra-Orthodox Jews who prayed on Temple Mount, unrest spread in Israel
and the Palestinian territories, in what became known as the ‘knife
intifada’.
So far, 237 Palestinians, 35 Israelis, two Americans, a Sudanese and
an Eritrean have died in the violence.