A 32-year-old Palestinian man suspected of killing a far-right Jewish activist was shot dead by the Israeli police on Thursday.
The incident has provoked fierce clashes between the Palestinians and Israeli police in East Jerusalem. Israel also announced closure of the hilltop compound, a site venerated by both Jews and Muslims. Jews call the compound Temple mount whereas Muslims refer to it as the Noble Sanctuary.
The Palestinian gunman identified as Moataz Hijazi was an Islamic militant and was released after 11 years in an Israeli prison in 2012.
Hijazi approached far-right religious activist Yehuda Glick outside the venue of a conference for supporting greater Jewish access to the hilltop compound.
According to Moshe Feiglin, a lawmaker with the Likud party, Hijazi, who was on a motorcycle, spoke to Glick, confirming his identity. He then fired three shots at Glick at point-blank range and fled the scene, Feiglin said, reports the Associated Press.
Glick, an activist who had led campaigns for greater Jewish access to Temple mount, remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that Hijazi , who was holed up in a house in Abu Tor, opened fire at police when they surrounded the house early Thursday. The police fired back and killed him, Rosenfeld said.
Soon after Hijazi was killed, clashes erupted as Palestinian men lit fires and blocked the streets where the shooting happened. They also threw stones at the Israeli police who responded with sound bombs and tear gas, reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lashed out at Israel for closing the hilltop compound.
"Jerusalem, including its Islamic and Christian holy places, is a red line and touching it is unacceptable," Abbas said in a statement, reports Fox News.
