A Palestinian driver was shot and killed in Jerusalem Friday after running over two Israeli border patrolmen, with an apparent intent to kill.

Open gallery view Border patrolmen in East Jerusalem Credit: Tess Scheflan

The man reportedly hit two the two policemen in East Jerusalem neighborhood of Wadi al-Joz, with reported light injuries sustained by both victims.

According to police officials, the driver drove on a short distance, and then proceeding to flee the scene on foot. Police officers called on the suspect to stop, and opened fire at him once it was clear he had ignored their instructions.

The Palestinian was evacuated by the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service, causing the delay in the arrival of an official confirmation of his condition.

Earlier Friday, police officials told Army Radio they had raised their alertness level in East Jerusalem ahead of Friday prayers, fearing that riots would break in wake of the turmoil following Israel's raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla at the end of last month, which resulted in the death of 9 of the activists on board of the flotilla flagship, the Mavi Marmara.