Sharp rise in Palestinian attacks raises fears of new intifada
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises 'harsh offensive' to crack down on rising tide of Palestinian violence.
A series of grisly Palestinian attacks that killed several Israeli civilians has prompted the government to take unprecedented security measures amid growing public debate over whether the spectre of another Palestinian intifada, or uprising, is on the horizon.
Israel's prime minister vowed a "harsh offensive" to counter rising violence that has focused in recent weeks over Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site sacred to both Muslims and Jews, in a series of so-called "lone wolf" Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
On Sunday, Israel announced that Palestinians would be temporarily barred from Jerusalem's Old City, the first time Israel has taken this step since it captured the Old City in the 1967 six-day war.
The latest spike in violence comes at a time when many Palestinians no longer believe statehood through negotiations with Israel is possible.
Israeli commentators have raised the possibility of a third uprising, though Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has so far prevented major outbreaks of violence despite his growing friction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hani al-Masri, a Palestinian political analyst, said it was not likely the start of a new uprising. "Intifada needs a leadership and the Palestinian political leadership is against it," he said.