JERUSALEM: Israeli forces locked down a West Bank town on Thursday that was home to Palestinians who killed a policewoman and wounded another in Jerusalem, an attack analysts called an escalation after months of violence.

The three Palestinians from Qabatiya near Jenin, believed to be 19 to 20 years old, were shot dead during Wednesday’s attack outside Jerusalem’s Old City in which the border policewoman was shot in the head.

The attack outside the walled Old City’s Damascus Gate, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, was part of a four-month wave of violence, but was among the most severe in the city, where many assaults have involved knives.

Israeli authorities said the three assailants were armed with guns, knives and explosives, indicating they intended to carry out a major attack.

The attack occurred when border police approached the Palestinians for identity checks, Israeli authorities said. As one showed his ID, the others opened fire and began stabbing.

The surviving officer was stabbed and is in a “moderate and stable” condition, according to the hospital treating her. Other police officers fired on the Palestinians and killed them.

The policewoman killed was 19 and had joined the force only two months ago, Israeli media reported. She had not yet completed basic training before being posted to the area, the reports said.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2016