Elderly women stabbed in Jerusalem

The victims were walking near the promenade in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood when they were attacked from behind, officials said on Tuesday. The masked assailants then fled to the Palestinian neighbourhood of Jabal Mukaber.

Both women sustained stab wounds to their torsos, but remain in stable condition, according to the Shaare Zedek hospital.

Following the incident, Jerusalem police launched a manhunt in the area, spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

The search ended with officers arresting two Palestinians.

The stabbings continue the series of ethnically charged attacks that have been rocking Israel and West Bank for nearly eight months.

Some 200 Palestinians and 28 Israelis have been killed since October last year, with the violence also claiming the lives of four foreigners, including two American citizens.

Most of the Palestinians were killed after attacking Israelis with knives and guns, or using their cars as weapons, Israeli officials said.

A number of Palestinians also died in violent clashes with Israeli security forces during protests.

The two sides have traded blame for the escalation of the violence.

dj/jm (AFP, AP)