Islamic Jihad: Intifada 3 Has Begun, Harming Al-Aqsa a Red Line

The Islamic Jihad resistance group has claimed responsibility for sending the 19-year-old Arab martyr who murdered two Israelis and wounded two others in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City on Saturday night.

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The martyr was named as Mohannad Shafik Halabi, a resident of Al-Bireh located adjacent to Ramallah.

"Mohammed Shafik Halabi, 19, is a member of Islamic Jihad," a senior member of the Gaza-based resistance group told AFP on condition of anonymity, after the group issued a statement hailing the attack and saying it was in response to Israeli terrorist crimes against Palestinians.

Just days before the attack, Halabi posted on Facebook that "the third intifada has already begun."

"We are at the start of a true intifada," wrote Islamic Jihad in an announcement. "The situation is at the breaking point - this isn't a storm in a teacup. Today (Prime Minister Binyamin) Netanyahu is reaping what he sowed. The Palestinian people have spoken - harming Al-Aqsa is a red line."

Hamas welcomed the brave attack and called for additional operations. Hamas spokesperson Hussam Bardan called the attack an act of heroism, and said, "we support every attack of this type."