Police say 55-year-old haredi man was attacked by Arab youth wielding an ax near city´s Nablus Gate. Assailant flees scene; police launch manhunt

A 55-year-old ultra-Orthodox man was lightly hurt Monday by an Arab youth wielding an ax, the police said. The attack took place near the city´s Damascus Gate.

The assailant fled the scene on foot. Police and emergency services team are on the scene and a manhunt is in progress.

The man was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.

According to the police, "An Arab assailant attacked a Jewish haredi man near the Damascus Gate. He struck him on the head and the two struggled shortly, before the assailant fled the scene."

The ax was found at the scene.

Magen David Adom Spokesman Zaki Heller told Ynet that, "At 8:21 am we received a call saying a man was attacked on the corner of HaNevi´im and Bar-Lev streets, near the Damascus Gate.

"An ambulance arrived at the scene within minutes. The paramedics found the man who was attack sitting on the sidewalk and presenting with head and torso injuries. He told them he had fought off his assailant."

Heller added that the man suffered wounds to the back of his head, his hands and his waist, adding that he told paramedics he was attacked by an Arab man.

Jerusalem Police spokesman Shmulik Ben Rubi told Ynet that police and Shin Bet forces were canvassing the area for the suspect. Yair Altman contributed to this report (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/02/12)