Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced ‘incitement’ and says that Israel will overcome the current 'wave of terror'.
In a press conference with Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Thursday night, Mr Netayahu said: "This has been another difficult day for all of us, citizens of Israel. We are in the midst of a wave of terrorism. Terrorists that have been incited and who are riven with hate are trying to attack our people – babies, children, men and women, civilians and soldiers.”
He continued: “This vicious terrorism did not start today. We have always known how to defeat the rioters and build up our country and so it will be now.
"We have a difficult situation now and we must show maximum alertness. Of course, we must also listen to instructions from the security forces and the authorities. But I would like to tell you something else: The security team that is sitting here – Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Public Security Minister, IDF Chief-of-Staff and the Israel Police Commissioner, and all other security elements – are doing our utmost to restore your security and that of your children, to all Israel."
There have been more terror attacks into Thursday night with reports of two minors arrested for throwing firebombs at police in Jaffa and two more Israelis injured in rock attacks, one near Atarot in Jerusalem and a 17 year old near Kiryat Arba.
Meanwhile, at least two Israeli men - one reported to be an IDF soldier - were stabbed in Afula on Thursday afternoon.
The knife assault, the eighth since Wednesday, left the two victims seriously wounded. The attacker was shot at the scene.
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Earlier today, a Jewish man was stabbed in Kiryat Arba in the West Bank.
The man, who is reported to be 25 years old, was stabbed by a Palestinian in the Kiryat Arba settlement this afternoon and seriously wounded. Magen David Adom responders evacuated him to hospital. IDF units are searching the area for the attacker.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medics and the Red Crescent said Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during clashes in the Shuafat refugee camp.
The clashes took place as police made their way to the home of Zubahi Ibrahim Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, who stabbed and seriously wounded a yeshivah student in Jerusalem earlier in the day.
Five people were injured in another attack earlier today near the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv.
According to Channel 2, a female soldier was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The other victims include a 60-year-old woman, a man and a woman in their 40s and a 20-year-old woman, who were all lightly wounded.
The Palestinian attacker was shot following a chase.
This morning in Jerusalem, a 25-year-old yeshivah student was “seriously injured” in the knife attack in the French Hill area, near the railway station. He was reportedly stabbed in the neck and chest by a Palestinian teenager from East Jerusalem, who has been apprehended by officers.
The Jerusalem victim is being treated at the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.
Zaki Heller, spokesman for the Magen David Adom ambulance service, told Ynet: "The victim was stabbed in the neck. It happened near the site of the vehicular attack near the light rail several months ago. Other shock victims were treated at the site."
This morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu banned high-profile Cabinet ministers and lawmakers from visiting Temple Mount.
The holy site, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews, has been at the heart of clashes in the country.
The announcement came after a violent demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The White House has expressed concern over the clashes between Israeli soldiers and protestors in Jerusalem.
This story has been updated on an on-going basis.
