(VOVworld) – On Wednesday, Israel started setting up roadblocks in Palestinian neighborhoods in east Jerusalem and deploying soldiers in cities across the country to combat the worst surge of violence in months.

Palestinians look on as Israeli police set up a checkpoint in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Ras al-Amud. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

Israel's security cabinet authorized the crackdown in an overnight session after a Tuesday attack killed three Israelis. According to the Israeli military, the deployment is aimed at helping police forces maintain order and preventing further attacks.

Israel's security cabinet earlier announced several measures to combat terrorism, notably authorizing police to seal off or impose a curfew on parts of Jerusalem in case of friction or incitement to violence.