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Four Dead In Jerusalem Truck-Ramming Attack

Updated

Israeli rescue forces work at the scene of a truck-ramming incident in Jerusalem on January 8.
Israeli rescue forces work at the scene of a truck-ramming incident in Jerusalem on January 8.

Four people have been killed and 15 injured after a truck plowed into a group of Israeli soldiers in East Jerusalem.

A police spokeswoman described the January 8 incident as a deliberate "terrorist attack."

Police said the driver of the truck was shot dead at the scene.

Three of the victims were women and all were in their 20s, a police official said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the attacker had been identified and "according to all the signs he was a supporter of the Islamic State" extremist group.

Speaking at the scene of the attack, Netanyahu said Israel had sealed off Jabel Mukaber, the East Jerusalem neighborhood where the truck driver lived, and was planning other measures to prevent similar attacks.

The White House condemned the attack, saying in a statement, "Such cowardly acts can never be justified, and we call on all to send a clear and unequivocal message that terrorism must never be tolerated."

The incident comes after a year of shooting, stabbing, and vehicle attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.

Since September, 40 Israelis and two Americans have been killed in the incidents, while 229 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

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