Police chief Shabtai: ‘No doubt’ man shot by police in Jerusalem was terrorist

Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai holds a security assessment with senior officers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Shabtai says he has “no doubt” that a Bedouin man shot by police in disputed circumstances earlier today committed a terror attack.

“The incident itself is under investigation by the internal investigations department and we cannot discuss all the details. I stress that this was a terror attack. We completely back the policemen and officers that responded,” Shabtai says.

Police say 26-year-old Mohammed Elasibi grabbed the gun of a police officer and fired it twice before he was shot dead in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Shabtai stresses that the country is going through an especially sensitive security period, referencing the ongoing Ramadan holy month.

Jerusalem District Commander Doron Turgeman also backs police at the scene and says their actions saved lives.

Both Shabtai and Turgeman emphasize the need to ensure freedom of worship in the holy city.