Arab Youth Reportedly Attacks Ultra-Orthodox Man With Axe in Jerusalem

Typically, these stories reserve themselves for horror movies, but media reports out of central Jerusalem claim that an ultra-Orthodox man was attacked by an axe-wielding Arab youth today. Following the bizarre scenario, the suspect fled the scene. Israeli police are currently combing the area in an effort to locate the assailant.

The incident purportedly unfolded when the 55-year-old Jewish man was on his way to the Western Wall for morning prayers on Monday. He was left with injuries to his head and midsection, as he reportedly told authorities that he struggled with the attacker and inevitably fought him off. Despite fleeing the scene, the attacked did leave behind the weapon.

The man was discovered by Shlomo Brendmeck, a local bus driver who spotted him following the incident.

"I think if the blade had hit his head directly, the man would no longer be with us," Brendmeck explained. "He was lucky. It was a serious axe."

Authorities have confirmed this report.

"Around 8:20 we received a report about an attack near Highway 1, near Hanevi'im Street," Avi Bar-Lev explained in an interview with Haaretz, a volunteer for a local rescue team. "He told us that he was on his way to the Kotel [Western Wall], when a man jumped on him from behind with an axe and started beating him. He attempted to struggle and the attacker fled. We provided medical treatment on the scene, then an ambulance took [the victim] to Hadassah Hospital."

Bar-Lev went on to say that the man's survival and minor wounds constitute "a miracle."