At least seven people have been killed and three others injured in a shooting incident at a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighbourhood of Jerusalem, police and medics have said. The shooting took place on Friday evening in the northern part of East Jerusalem, they said.
“The terrorist arrived by car at a building used as a synagogue in the neighbourhood in the northern part of East Jerusalem and opened fire,” police said.
Police located and shot the gunman. A handgun apparently used in the attack was seized, they said.
Seven people were shot and killed and at least three others were wounded in a terror shooting attack, The Times of Israel newspaper said, quoting police and medics.
Police said the terrorist — a resident of East Jerusalem — was shot dead after he exited the car and opened fire on the officers while trying to escape on foot, the report said.
Magen David Adom (MDA)rescue services said its medics declared five victims dead at the scene, and another two victims were declared dead at hospitals in Jerusalem, it added.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after visiting the scene, called the attack “one of the most severe we have known in
years.”
“Our hearts are with the families. We must act with determination and composure. I call on people not to take the law into their own hands,” he was quoted as saying in the report.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant was to soon hold a special situation assessment meeting with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, the head of Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet, and other security officials, his office said.