Stabbing near home

Tourists and locals blocked at
Jaffa Gate

There was a serious stabbing near the 5th Station about 70 meters from my house. I was on my way out to do a chore that I had forgotten in the morning ... and just at the 3rd Station I saw a couple of my security friends running toward the 5th Station, shouting and with guns in their hands. Soldiers at the 3rd Station joined them and they ran down to Bab el Hadid (Iron Gate, one of the entrances to the Al Aqsa Mosque). Then soon more soldiers from Damascus Gate came running with pistols and automatic rifles poised. It was frightening even though I've seen it lots of times here.

Knowing that they will soon close down the City Gates I ran up to Damascus Gate but was too late. The soldiers had begun blocking the Gate with metal barriers and would not allow anyone to go in or get out. Knowing that New Gate will also be closed, I ran to Jaffa Gate 1km uphill, hoping it will be opened. When I got there it was packed with tourists and locals ... all blocked. The ancient iron gates were closed and the road was blocked with metal barriers. Literally thousands of people were on both sides waiting to get in or go out.

Jaffa Gate closed

It was only after 45 mins that the barriers were removed and we were able to exit. I was terribly perturbed as I heard from the news it was a security guy. It could be one of my friends. I walked to the closest park where I sat down and started calling all my friends to ask if it was one of our guys. I was going crazy with anxiety. No one could tell me ... I guess there was a gag. Some had their phones turned off. Finally one told me it was a police man. I was relieved ... in a way, that it wasn't on of my friends. But the news began to report that it was a security guard. Well it's over 3 hours after that attack now and no one can tell me who it is. My best friend wrote to give me the name ... which I don't recognise, so I think it;s not one of our friends. It's been so traumatic. I'm lucky I didn't get an asthma attack.

Now on analysing the situation, I've figured out this attack is new in one tactic: it's a lot closer to the Wailing Wall, a lot deeper into the Old City. Most attacks took place at the City Gates or closer to it. Today's attack was deep in the Suq (market) where space is tight and the street very narrow. Many people could have been hurt when the police fired and killed the 28 yr old attacker from Nablus (Samaria).

It's been all too upsetting today. If anything, this could signal the start of a violent summer.