Israeli authorities said at least four people have been killed and several more wounded in a terrorist attack on a popular Tel Aviv shopping district.
Israel police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said two suspects were apprehended; one of them was shot while the other was undergoing questioning.
CNN reported that police were still looking for one more suspect. Rosenfeld did not confirm this but said the area was cordoned off for a half mile in each direction and they were not yet considering the attack over.
The spokesman said it was confirmed that the mass shooting was terrorist attack and bomb disposal and counterterrorism teams were at the scene making sure no explosive devices were left by the gunmen.
Rosenfeld added there was no “specific warning of a terrorist attack” this evening. Response time by police to the scene was “about a minute.”
Rosenfeld said they would still have to investigate whether the terrorists came in from the West Bank or if they were from the area.
The spokesman did not confirm the type of weapons used, but media at the scene were reporting that it was a shootout.
The target, Sarona market, is next to the Ministry of Defense headquarters. The popular gourmet market complex in the heart of Tel Aviv has 91 stalls, shops and restaurants.
Ramadan began Sunday. Hamas’ military wing posted photos of its fighters yesterday vowing that they’d work “until victory or martyrdom.”
#BREAKING: Video of the moment Policeman shot the terrorist in central Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/rEzX2GDQGb
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 8, 2016
#BREAKING: Video running in panic in central Tel Aviv after the shooting attack pic.twitter.com/GabWXBC8yj — Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 8, 2016
VIDEO: Injured being evecuated from the scene pic.twitter.com/BRfOQo6YRR
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 8, 2016
#BREAKING: 3 murdered in Tel Aviv terror shooting attack: 5 injured – Some seriously pic.twitter.com/v5LejPOGCI — Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 8, 2016
UPDATE 6 p.m. EST: The gunmen have been identified as cousins:
The Tel Aviv shooters: Cousins Mohamed and Khaled Makhamrah from Yatta (Hebron). pic.twitter.com/UkI5CSMDtz
— Khaled Abu Toameh (@KhaledAbuToameh) June 8, 2016
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement that the U.S. “condemns today’s horrific terrorist attack in Tel Aviv in the strongest possible terms.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and our hopes for a quick recovery for those wounded. These cowardly attacks against innocent civilians can never be justified,” Toner said. “We are in touch with Israeli authorities to express our support and concern.”
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