Report: Old woman stabbed with ax in Jerusalem's Old City, motive unclear

An old woman was reportedly stabbed with an ax in the Old City of Jerusalem a short time ago today (Wednesday), and was evacuated to the hospital in serious condition.

The Israel Police released the following statement on the matter:

"A short time ago, a suspect arrived at a house in the Old City of Jerusalem armed with an axe, attacked a woman, and fled the scene. A woman in serious condition (according to medical sources) was evacuated from the scene to receive medical treatment at the hospital.

"Numerous police forces from the Jerusalem District under the command of the Jerusalem District Commander were called to the scene and are currently operating in the area to locate the suspect and clarify the circumstances of the incident.

"Additional details will be provided later."

Channel 14 reporter Hallel Biton Rosen says that the Police documented the assailant escaping via Jaffa Gate and hiding in the area. They believe he will be caught soon.

Kann News reports that Amiti Lifshitz, a neighbor who lives in the apartment above the woman said: "I heard terrible screams from the apartment below, and when we went out to see what was happening, we saw a person leaving the scene shouting 'She's a Christian.'"

Amiti reportedly added that the attacker did not harm him and his mother, even though he could have: "He left the axe on the ground and walked away from the scene. I don't think this is a terror attack because he could have hurt us and didn't do it. I don't know who the suspect is. The woman's five daughters were with her, but the attacker didn't harm them."

MDA paramedic Yossi Cassuto, who is also a neighbor of the attacked woman, was called to the incident: "I quickly arrived at the scene and saw a fully conscious woman of about 50 years old lying with injuries to her upper body. I provided her with life-saving medical treatment and transferred her to MDA's special ATV, which evacuated her through the alleys while providing treatment to an intensive care ambulance waiting at Zion Gate. From there, we evacuated her with continued medical treatment to the hospital, with her condition being moderate and stable."

This is a developing story.