Tel Aviv: Palestinian factions and the Israeli military have both rejected a claim by Islamic State that three Palestinian men who carried out a fatal shooting and stabbing attack in Jerusalem were members of the militant group. "It was a local cell", police spokeswoman Luba Simri stated on Saturday. "At this stage no indication has been found it was directed by terrorist organizations, nor has any connection to any organization been found", Simri said.
Israel is a prominent subject in ISIS's propaganda output, with the group regularly stating that it seeks to take over Jerusalem, where the third-holiest site in Islam-the Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary-and the most holy in Judaism-known to Jews as the Temple Mount-is located.
The attacks occurred simultaneously in two areas near the Damascus gate of Jerusalem's walled old city.
The three attackers killed were all in the 18-19 age group and have been identified. She later died of her wounds in hospital.
She has been identified as 23-year-old Hadas Malka who was a Staff Seargent in the border police.
In one incident, two Palestinians opened fire on a group of police officers and also came at them with knives.
On Saturday, almost 350 Palestinians from the West Bank were sent back, according to Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri.
Israel blames the violence on incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders compounded on social media sites that glorify violence and encourage attacks.
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Family members of the attackers said they were deeply religious men who acted on their own.
Police said all of the assailants were from the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
Netanyahu was also considering sealing off the Damascus Gate area to the public.
Israeli officials have said the failure to pay for electricity is the result of an internal dispute between Hamas and the PA.
Most of the attacks have been carried out by "lone wolves", some only in their teens, and Israel has dubbed the violence "popular terrorism".
A wave of unrest that broke out in October 2015 has claimed the lives of 272 Palestinians, 42 Israelis, two Americans, two Jordanians, an Eritrean, a Sudanese and a Briton, according to an AFP tally.
Israeli authorities, meanwhile, say nearly 50 Israelis have been killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians over the same period.
Additionally, several roadblocks leading to the east Jerusalem entrance to the Old City have been set up to help police monitor all suspicious activity.
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