Palestinian shot dead after stabbing Israeli officer in Jerusalem

A Palestinian has been shot dead by Israeli border authorities after stabbing a police officer in Jerusalem. The incident, which was confirmed by a police spokesman, is the latest in a surge in violence in the region. The Palestinian is said to have stabbed the officer in the neck near a main gate of the walled Old City, moderately injuring him. Some hours afterwards, a woman was lightly stabbed in the back near a bus station in West Jerusalem. The woman, believed to be in her thirties, was taken to hospital. The perpetrator fled the scene immediately after the attack, but was later detained, according to Israeli media. Near-daily bloodshed has killed at least 19 Israelis, one US citizen and 94 Palestinians in the past two months. It has largely been fuelled by Palestinians’ fears Israel will change the status quo at the al Aqsa religious compound. Israel denies any intention of wishing to do so.