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Tel Aviv shooting: Two dead, Israeli police say Tel Aviv shooting: Two dead, Israeli police say
(about 3 hours later)
Two people have died and and seven others have been injured after a gunman opened fire with an automatic rifle at a bar in Tel Aviv, Israeli police say.Two people have died and and seven others have been injured after a gunman opened fire with an automatic rifle at a bar in Tel Aviv, Israeli police say.
Security forces have launched a huge manhunt for the gunman, cordoning off areas of the city.Security forces have launched a huge manhunt for the gunman, cordoning off areas of the city.
The incident took place in Dizengoff Street in the city centre.The incident took place in Dizengoff Street in the city centre.
It was not immediately clear what motivated the shooting, which follows a wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis over the past few months.It was not immediately clear what motivated the shooting, which follows a wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis over the past few months.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told the BBC: "It's not clear what the background of the incident is, if it's a terrorist attack or if it's criminal-related."Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told the BBC: "It's not clear what the background of the incident is, if it's a terrorist attack or if it's criminal-related."
Four of the wounded had suffered serious injuries, he said.Four of the wounded had suffered serious injuries, he said.
Undercover units and counter-terrorism units were working in different areas of Tel Aviv, Mr Rosenfeld said, adding that no specific warning of an attack had been received.Undercover units and counter-terrorism units were working in different areas of Tel Aviv, Mr Rosenfeld said, adding that no specific warning of an attack had been received.
However the city's mayor, Ron Huldai, told reporters at the scene that "this appears to be a terrorist attack motivated by nationalism," the Jerusalem Post reported.However the city's mayor, Ron Huldai, told reporters at the scene that "this appears to be a terrorist attack motivated by nationalism," the Jerusalem Post reported.
Analysis: Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Jerusalem
While 1 January is not New Year's Day in the Jewish state, Friday afternoon would be the peak of the weekend and this was a party area of Tel Aviv.
The city tends to be slightly more remote from the political tensions and violence affecting other parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
There has been speculation that if the bar was popular with the gay community it may have been a hate crime, and it remains a possibility that there was some kind of link to organised crime.
But until the perpetrator is captured it is not clear what the motive may have been.
Security camera footage from a neighbouring food store shows the gunman - who appears to be a young man, wearing protective glasses or sunglasses, and dressed in dark clothes - choosing dried fruits or nuts.
Moments later, he returns the items, gets an assault rifle out of his bag, leaves the shop and can be seen opening fire from near the doorway.
He is believed to have made off on foot.
Afterwards, broken glass could be seen on the pavement outside the bar and a nearby cafe which was also targeted.
The shooting took place at around 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Friday.
As of 23 December, at least 21 Israelis had been killed in the recent violence, most of them in stabbings and shooting attacks by Palestinians.As of 23 December, at least 21 Israelis had been killed in the recent violence, most of them in stabbings and shooting attacks by Palestinians.
At least 131 Palestinians have also been killed. More than half were said by Israel to be attackers. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces.At least 131 Palestinians have also been killed. More than half were said by Israel to be attackers. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces.