A Palestinian man deliberately rammed his car into pedestrians at a crowded train platform in east Jerusalem, killing one person and injuring 13 in what authorities called a "terror attack".

The driver, who was shot dead by police, was identified as Ibrahim al-Akari. Hamas claimed responsibility for what it termed "the heroic running-over operation".

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Israeli policemen stand next to the body of Ibrahim al-Akri, a Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli police officers after he drove into a crowd of people Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
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People look at the site where a Palestinian deliberately rammed his car into a crowd of pedestrians in Jerusalem Gali Tibbon/AFP
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Israeli rescue workers and paramedics carry an injured man to an ambulance Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
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Crowds watch as forensic police work at the scene where one person was killed and at least 13 people were wounded after a driver crashed into pedestrians Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images

The road rampage was the second in two weeks in Jerusalem, and the target was again a stop along its light railway, which links Arab and Jewish areas.

Police and witnesses said the driver slammed his white van into three paramilitary border policemen crossing a street and then into people at the railway stop.

Crashing to a halt at a nearby junction, he emerged from the van and began striking at pedestrians with a metal pipe.

"A border policeman, taking the initiative, drew his weapon and eliminated the terrorist," Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat told reporters at the scene.

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Ultra-orthodox Jews look at the scene after a Palestinian rammed his vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians Menahem Kahana/AFP

East Jerusalem has experienced unrest since the summer, with Palestinian youths throwing stones and firebombs at motorists and clashing with Israeli police.

Much of the recent unrest has focused around a sacred compound revered by both Jews and Muslims. It is the holiest site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount because of the revered Jewish Temples that stood there in biblical times.

Muslims refer to it as the Noble Sanctuary and it is their third holiest site, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

The car attack came shortly after clashes in the Old City, where Palestinians threw rocks and firecrackers at police to protest a planned visit to a key holy site by Israeli supporters of a rabbi who was shot by a Palestinian gunman last week.

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Israeli security forces stand guard near Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
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People run for cover at one of the entrances to Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
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Palestinian women take cover as Israeli police used stun grenades to disperse a crowd trying to enter the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Ammar Awad/Reuters
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An Israeli policeman aims his tear gas launcher during clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
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Palestinians clean up debris inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, following clashes between stone-throwing Palestinians and Israeli security forces after Jewish nationalists visited the site Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
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Israeli right-wing activists sing and dance after visiting the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
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A Palestinian man argues with Israeli police officers as he waits to get permission to enter the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

The Israelis had planned on commemorating a week since the attack on American-Israeli activist Yehuda Glick, who has campaigned for more Jewish access to the location. Palestinians view such visits as a provocation and often respond violently. Glick remains in serious condition.

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