JERUSALEM, September 26, 2017 (WAFA) – Three Israelis believed to be security personnel were killed and a fourth seriously injured on Tuesday when a Palestinian opened fire at them from a close range outside an illegal Israeli settlement northwest of occupied Jerusalem, according to Israeli police reports. The Palestinian was also shot dead.

An Israeli police spokesperson said a Palestinian identified as a 37-year-old resident of the village of Beit Sourik was among Palestinian workers seeking to enter the settlement of Har Adar, built on land expropriated from Palestinian villages to the northwest of Jerusalem, for work when he raised suspicion of police at the checkpoint leading to the settlement.

When ordered to stop for inspection, the Palestinian pulled a gun and shot four Israelis from close range.

Police later confirmed the death of three Israelis and a fourth was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

The alleged Palestinian attacker was shot dead by Israeli police who were present at the site.

WAFA correspondent said Israeli forces imposed a tight military closure on the villages of Beit Sourik, Biddo and Qattana, closest to the settlement, and banned their Palestinian residents from leaving them.

K.T./M.K.