An Israeli forensic police officer at the scene of a shooting and stabbing attack near Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, February 3, 2016. (Yonatan SIndel/Flash90)

A 19-year-old policewoman who was critically wounded in a terror attack succumbed to her wounds. Before losing consciousness, she managed to prevent a greater disaster.

By: United with Israel Staff

Three Palestinian terrorists shot and stabbed two border policewomen near Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem early Wednesday afternoon.

As police checked the ID cards of three Palestinians, who appeared suspicious, one of them pulled out a Karl Gustav machine pistol from his coat and opened fire on them, while another drew a knife and stabbed them. Security forces responded quickly and shot the terrorists.

Hadar Cohen, 19, who was critically wounded, passed away later in the day. The other victim is seriously injured and is being treated at Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center.

Cohen, who began serving with the border police two months ago, reportedly managed to shoot one of the terrorists during the attack, thereby saving the other policewoman’s life. Security camera footage of the attack shows Cohen eliminating the terrorist before collapsing and losing consciousness, the Jerusalem Post reported. She was posthumously promoted to corporal.

‘A True Hero’

Ofir Gendelman, the prime minister’s spokesman for Arab media, called Cohen “a true hero.” Commenting on Twitter, he said, “Our heroes give their lives to protect our people. The Palestinians’ heroes are regarded as such because they murder our people.”

Following the attack, the terrorists were found to have carried sophisticated weapons, including explosives, marking an “escalation,”  Jerusalem Deputy Police Chief Avshalom Peled said, adding that the police officers’ quick and professional response prevented a massive attack.

A resident of Or Yehuda in central Israel, Cohen is survived by her parents, a brother and a sister.

The three terrorists, all approximately 20 years of age and from the Jenin area, were identified as Ahmed Abu Al-Rub, Mohamed Kmail and Ahmad Zakarneh. Two of the attackers had been barred from entering Israel by the Shin Bet, and all three crossed over illegally, Ynet said.

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