Two masked attackers have stabbed two Israeli women in Jerusalem, setting off a manhunt that led to the arrest of the assailants, Israeli police said Tuesday.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said five women were walking when they were attacked from behind. Two of them, both said to be about 70 years of age, were stabbed. They have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
Rosenfeld gave no details about the arrested attackers.

It’s the latest incident in nearly eight months of attacks by Palestinians, mostly stabbings, which have killed 28 Israelis and two Americans.

About 200 Palestinians have been killed during the same time, most of them said by Israel to have been attackers while the rest killed in clashes with Israeli forces.

Peace talks between Israel and Palestinian authorities on a two-state solution have stalled.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Tuesday that Palestinian statehood is the most important issue now facing the world.

Judeh said the “Palestinian cause represents the essence of the conflicts and crises in the region.”

He added that “every day of delay where the international community does not exert pressure toward reaching a fair and just settlement of the Palestinian cause, will lead to another day of darkness where the forces of extremism and terrorism can act. Then humanity as a whole will pay the price.”

Judeh made the comment at the Arab Media Forum, an event taking place in Dubai, the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates.