An Israeli policeman searches a supermarket inside the Central Jerusalem Bus Station after police said a woman was stabbed by a Palestinian outside the bus station October 14, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

JERUSALEM -- A Palestinian man stabbed a 70-year-old woman and moderately wounded her in a stabbing attack in central Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, the Israeli police said.

The perpetrator was shot and killed by Israeli security forces, Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri told Xinhua.

The incident took place near the Jerusalem central bus station, on the adjacent Jaffa road. A 70-year-old woman tried to board a bus, as a Palestinian man stabbed her in her upper torso.

The bus driver and passengers managed to carry the woman into the bus and shut the door before the suspect could enter. He then ran from the scene, when an Israeli policeman who was not far identified him with the knife, shot and killed him, the Israeli police said.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Palestinian man who apparently attempted to stab Israelis at the Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem was shot down and killed by police guards at the scene. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

Six military companies were deployed in Jerusalem and other major cities early Wednesday, after the Israeli security cabinet, a forum of Israeli ministers, decided to boost overworked police forces, after a slew of attacks against Israelis took place throughout the country.

Police had also set up checkpoints at exits from several Palestinian villages in east Jerusalem, following the cabinet's decision from Tuesday night.

The cabinet also called to expedite home demolition of attackers residing in east Jerusalem and revoking residency permits for attackers and their families, among others.