Terrorist Opens Fire, Kills 2 in Tel Aviv

Two Israelis have been confirmed dead and at least 10 have been injured after a  masked shooter  sprayed bullets into a packed bar on Dizengof street in the heart of Tel Aviv today, Friday.

The gunman fled the scene after the attack, and a search for the terrorist is ongoing.

From The Algemeiner by Ruthie Blum:

Two Israelis were killed, and seven others wounded, four critically and three moderately, in a shooting spree Friday afternoon in Tel Aviv, according to Hebrew press reports.

Though initial reports said there was more than one attacker who opened fire on and in the vicinity of “Hasimta,” a bar/restaurant located on the corner of Dizengoff and Gordon streets, police are now on a manhunt for a single suspected terrorist and possible accomplice or accomplices.

Security-camera footage published by Israeli newspapers shows the shooter — whose unmasked face is clearly visible — approaching the pub and looking inside, before aiming his automatic weapon and gunning people down in a cold, calculated manner. Some 30 shots are reported to have been fired by a Luzon rifle — of the kind purportedly used in other attacks perpetrated by West Bank Palestinians.

Security services have cordoned off the site of the attack, and are requesting that the public stay away, and those in the area to remain indoors, while the manhunt continues.

The wounded have been evacuated to  Tel Aviv hospitals — Ichilov, Wolfson, Beilinson and Sheba/Tel Hashomer.

Though the motive behind the attack has not been officially established, police say they are working under the assumption that it is an act of terrorism. As a result, the Shin Bet internal security services are assisting in the investigation.

Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square has been appropriated as a station for dozens of police and other security vehicles.

Update: Copy Of Koran Found In Tel Aviv Gunman’s Backpack

A copy of the Islamic holy text Koran was found inside the backpack being carried by the gunman who opened fire on a crowded Tel Aviv street on Friday, killing at least two people, Channel 10 reported.

Channel 10 also reported that the shooter used an assault rifle and fired about 30 shots. It said that Israeli police and special forces were going house to house in the area, searching for the gunman.