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Israel cuts Ramadan access for Palestinians after fatal attack
JERUSALEM — Following two near simultaneous Palestinian attacks on police that killed a young female officer near Jerusalem’s Old City, Israel revoked on Sunday the permits of 200,000 Palestinians to enter Israel that were approved for the holy month of Ramadan.
Israeli defense body COGAT posted the announcement on its Arabic language Facebook page. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that preparations were underway to destroy the homes of the Palestinian attackers and tighten security at the entrance to the Old City, home to sensitive holy sites sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Three Palestinian attackers armed with an automatic weapon and knives assaulted officers on duty near the Old City in two locations Friday evening.
Police said Staff Sgt. Maj. Hadas Malka, 23, was rushing to respond to that initial attack nearby when a Palestinian assaulted her with a knife. Malka wrestled with the man for several seconds as he stabbed her multiple times before other officers saw what was happening and opened fire, killing him, police said. She later died of her wounds in hospital.
The Islamic State group took responsibility for the attacks, but two Palestinian militant groups, Hamas and People’s Front for the Liberation of Palestine, quickly retorted that the three were their members.
Netanyahu criticized Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for not condemning the attack.
There was no official comment from Abbas, but Osama al-Qawasmi, a spokesman for his Fatah party said, “When Netanyahu ends his occupation all the problems will end, but as long he continues occupation and land confiscation and building settlements on our land the conflict will continue.”