3 Palestinians killed in Jerusalem after wounding Israeli police

Israeli police said they shot and killed three Palestinians Wednesday who seriously injured two female Israeli police officers near East Jerusalem's Old City.

The police said a paramilitary Border Police force noticed the trio near the Damascus Gate, where several of recent Palestinian attacks occurred. When the officers approached the suspects, one of them produced his ID while the other two suddenly pulled out Car Gustav submachine guns and knives, wounding two female Border Police officers.

Other officers at the site responded with fire, killing the attackers who were later identified as residents of the Jenin and Qabatiya area in the northern West Bank, both in their earlier 20s.

In a later search, police found they also concealed explosives under their coats, suggesting they were planning to carry out a bigger attack, according to the police.

The Israeli emergency medical service said two police officers, aged 19 and 20, were wounded in the shooting and taken to a Jerusalem hospital. One of them was in a critical condition, and the other sustained serious injuries.

During the past four and a half months, 25 Israelis and one U.S. citizen were killed in a string of lone-wolf attacks by Palestinians.

At least 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, mostly after allegedly carrying attacks.

Israel has been accusing the Palestinian National Authority of "inciting" the violence, while the Palestinians say it is the result of 49 years of Israeli control of their lands. Endit