Jerusalem (AFP) - Two Israelis were shot and wounded Saturday at a checkpoint in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, police said, as a manhunt got underway.
An Israeli police spokesperson said an assailant "shot and severely injured two Israelis" at a checkpoint near the Shuafat Palestinian refugee camp.
"Israel police forces are currently searching for the suspect who fled the scene," the spokesperson said in a statement.
An AFP journalist saw a woman dressed in security forces uniform being treated in one of two ambulances in attendance.
Blood covered paving stones at the checkpoint, which was closed and cordoned off with red police tape.
The Magen David Adom emergency medical services said those shot were transported to a nearby hospital.
"The 20-year-old female was in critical condition and the 25-year-old male was in severe condition," the MDA said in a statement.A young female hurt by shrapnel was treated on site, it added.
Dozens of officers were deployed around the crossing and inside the refugee camp, where fireworks were launched.
The force said it had deployed a helicopter and special forces as part of the manhunt.The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its medics were being prevented from entering Shuafat refugee camp.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid described the shooting as a "severe" attack.
"My heart is with the wounded and their families this evening.Terror will not defeat us, we are strong even on this difficult evening," the premier said in a statement.
Israel has controlled east Jerusalem since the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed the territory in a move not recognised internationally.
Earlier Saturday, the Red Crescent said its medics treated five people near the Old City of east Jerusalem, including one who was hit with a rubber-coated bullet.
Israeli police said the force arrested seven children and one adult suspected of "participating in unrest, throwing stones and attacks on police officers" in the area, resulting in one officer being lightly wounded.
Crowds of Muslims had earlier gathered at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound for celebrations marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammed.
Palestinian scouts paraded through the Old City before reaching the holy site, which is also sacred to Jews as Temple Mount.
Jewish worshippers are marking a series of religious festivities, with the Sukkot holiday starting on Sunday evening.
