An attacker stabbed a woman near a bus stop in north Jerusalem on Sunday before fleeing the scene, Israeli police said.

"Woman standing near the bus stop on Shamgar Street, Jerusalem, stabbed in the back," a police statement said. Israel's medical service said the victim, in her 30s, was not seriously wounded.

The attacker fled the scene with security forces in pursuit, police added.

The current wave of protests by Palestinians and repression by Israeli occupation forces started in late July when toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians were severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers.

Palestinian protests were also triggered by an increase in Jewish visitors to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Palestinians fear that Israel is preparing to allow Jewish prayers in the mosque, which are not currently allowed.

Settlement-building, racial discrimination, confiscation of identity cards, long queues at checkpoints, as well as daily clashes and the desecration of Al-Aqsa mosque, have been Palestinians' daily routine.

The anger of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem has increased in the last three years after the Israeli authorities allowed increasing numbers of Jewish settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque.

*The story was edited by Ahram Online.