Photo: Reuters
Abu Mussa, 35, is believed to have escaped from Palestinian custody
Shooting broke out as he tried to reach a public bus
Nationality unclear
A Hamas gunman opened fire in Jerusalem on Wednesday night, killing one Israeli and injuring four others.
The gunman went on the rampage near a church, police say, before he was shot dead by Israeli police.
Police fired at two worshippers who tried to stop the gunman and a car chase followed.
Three of the victims were in critical condition, a spokesman for the Israeli health ministry said.
“At 8:34pm (1534 GMT) a gunman opened fire from a balcony of a hotel near the Notre Dame Church near the Old City in Jerusalem, near the Damascus Gate entrance.
“He targeted people waiting for a bus, killing one and injuring four,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
The BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Jerusalem says that one man was killed by a bullet to the head.
Abu Mussa, 35, is believed to have escaped from Palestinian custody. He appeared before a military court this week and had not been released on parole.
Terrorist groups including Hamas have claimed the attacks in the past, but Israeli media say this may be the first time they have been inspired by Hamas.
Jerusalem is already tense ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump, who is due to arrive on Monday for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman is due to visit the Old City on Thursday, as is his deputy, Gilad Erdan.
Hezbollah is also expected to visit Jerusalem soon, according to Lebanese television.
The incident took place after Palestinian Authority security forces tried to arrest a man named as Abu Mussa in Bethlehem in the West Bank.
Police said the gunman crossed into Israel from Bethlehem after being released from custody.
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
The shooting broke out as the gunman tried to reach a public bus heading north from the Old City.
Nationality could not be immediately determined but Hamas is a militant group affiliated with Mr Trump’s Israel-Palestine peace drive.
The groups attacked civilians in the Middle East after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued an edict against terrorism.
The man believed to be the gunman is reportedly a father of seven.
Two Israeli police officers were injured in the incident, Mr Rosenfeld said.
“One of them has been moved to hospital and in a stable condition,” he said.
One of the policemen also suffered “ongoing health problems”.
Palestinian media claim Israeli undercover police sent buses to take away the wounded Palestinian shooter.
Hamas appears to have praised the shooting in Twitter posts, but the Palestinian government has not commented.
Israel’s military said in a statement that it was reviewing security at key sites in Jerusalem.
“Security at holy sites remains the cornerstone of Israel’s operations, and Palestinian terrorists will not prevail by using similar means,” it said.
Jerusalem is already tense ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump, who is due to arrive on Monday for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinians demand the city be ruled as a “free city” that serves both Jews and Muslims.
Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital.