Hamas terrorists (archive)
Hamas terrorists (archive)Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90

Hamas on Friday welcomed the combined shooting and stabbing attack in the Old City of Jerusalem, in which 23-year-old Border Policewoman Hadas Malka was murdered.

"The attack in Jerusalem is renewed proof of the continued revolution of the people against the occupier, and that the intifada continues until full freedom is attained," the organization said in a statement.

Hamas, however, stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack.

Friday’s attack took place around 7:30 p.m., when two terrorists armed with knives and rifles attacked people at Zedekiah's Cave. They were neutralized by security forces.

A third terrorist stabbed the policewoman who was stationed at the Damascus Gate. He, too, was neutralized by security forces.

Malka was taken to the Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Four other people, who suffered light and moderate injuries, were taken to the Shaarei Tzedek Hospital.

The area of the Damascus Gate has been repeatedly targeted by terrorists. Last month, a knife-wielding female Arab terrorist attacked officers who were deployed at the Damascus Gate.

Officers responded quickly to the attempted stabbing attack, neutralizing the terrorist before she was able to reach her intended target.

The attacks are part of the ongoing terror wave that began in October of 2015, on the eve of the Rosh Hashanah holiday.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)