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Gunmen kill seven in Israel raid Gunmen kill seven in Israel raid
(40 minutes later)
At least seven people have been killed by gunmen who are reported to have infiltrated and attacked a Jewish seminary in West Jerusalem. At least seven people have been killed and at least six people wounded by a gunman who infiltrated and attacked a Jewish seminary in West Jerusalem.
Israeli emergency services say at least six people were injured in the attack at the Mercaz Harav seminary in the Kiryat Moshe quarter of Jerusalem. Witnesses said the gunman went into a crowded hall during dinner at the Mercaz Harav seminary in the city's Kiryat Moshe quarter and opened fire.
Reports said one attacker was killed and police were hunting another. The assailant was then shot dead by Israeli security personnel.
It is the worst attack of its kind for a number of years. There were no attacks within Jerusalem during 2007. The attack is the worst of its kind for a number of years. There were no attacks within Jerusalem during 2007.
The gunmen are said to have entered the building at the rabbinical seminary, where about 80 people were gathered. The Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas, praised the attack, calling it "heroic", but did not claim responsibility. There was also celebratory gunfire in Gaza.
It's very sad tonight in Jerusalem - many people were killed in the heart of Jerusalem Uri LupolianskiJerusalem Mayor In pictures: Seminary attack
Later, the al-Manar satellite television station of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement reported that a previously unknown group called the "Jalil Freedom Battalions - the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh and Gaza" was behind the shooting.
Israeli security forces have been on high alert since Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah leader and military commander, was killed in a car bomb in Damascus on 12 February.
Hezbollah blamed Israel, which denied any involvement.
'Horrific'
Witnesses said the gunman entered the dining hall at the Mercaz Harav seminary, where about 80 people were gathered, and began firing at its students in every direction for several minutes.
Yaron Tzuker, a medic, said he arrived as the gunfire was still going on.Yaron Tzuker, a medic, said he arrived as the gunfire was still going on.
"They were still shooting when we got here," he told Channel 10 television."They were still shooting when we got here," he told Channel 10 television.
DEADLY ATTACKS IN ISRAEL 4 Feb 2008: One dies, Dimona suicide bombing29 Apr 2007: Three die, Eilat suicide bombing17 Apr 2006: Nine die, 40 wounded, suicide bombing near old bus station in Tel Aviv 30 Mar 2006: Four die, Kedumim suicide bombing29 Dec 2005: Thee die, suicide bombing near Tulkarm 5 Dec 2005: Five die, Netanya suicide bombing 26 Oct 2005: Six die, Hadera market suicide bombing 12 July 2005: Two die, Netanya suicide bombing 25 Feb 2005: Five die, 50 hurt, suicide bombing outside Tel Aviv nightclub13 Jan 2005: Six die, suicide bombing at Karni crossing
"We took cover and the ambulance was hit. It's horrible inside - dead bodies and wounded - it's horrific.""We took cover and the ambulance was hit. It's horrible inside - dead bodies and wounded - it's horrific."
Israeli police and military personnel later searched the building and the surrounding area in order to determine whether there had been a second assailant, but Jerusalem's police commander said there had been only one man.
"He hid the weapon in a cardboard box," Aharon Franco told reporters.
Mr Franco said an Israeli army officer who lived nearby had run to the school after hearing gunfire and shot the gunman dead.
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski told Israeli Channel 2 television: "It's very sad tonight in Jerusalem - many people were killed in the heart of Jerusalem."
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said "terrorists are trying to destroy the chances of peace, but we will certainly continue peace talks" with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who also condemned the attack.
The Mercaz Harav seminary is a well-known centre for Jewish studies and most students are aged between 18 and 30. It is said to be associated with the leadership of the Jewish settler movement in the West Bank.
Hamas praiseHamas praise
The school is a well-known centre for Jewish studies and most students are aged between 18 and 30. In the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, gunmen fired into the air after news broke about the attack. A loudspeaker in Gaza City reportedly broadcast the message: "This is God's vengeance".
DEADLY ATTACKS IN ISRAEL 4 Feb 2008: One dies, Dimona suicide bombing29 Apr 2007: Three die, Eilat suicide bombing17 Apr 2006: Nine die, 40 wounded, suicide bombing near old bus station in Tel Aviv 30 Mar 2006: Four die, Kedumim suicide bombing29 Dec 2005: Thee die, suicide bombing near Tulkarm 5 Dec 2005: Five die, Netanya suicide bombing 26 Oct 2005: Six die, Hadera market suicide bombing 12 July 2005: Two die, Netanya suicide bombing 25 Feb 2005: Five die, 50 hurt, suicide bombing outside Tel Aviv nightclub13 Jan 2005: Six die, suicide bombing at Karni crossing This heroic attack in Jerusalem is a normal response to the crimes of the occupier and its murder of civilians Sami Abu ZuhriHamas spokesman
It is said to identify with the leadership of the Jewish settlement movement - who believe the West Bank should be in Jewish and not Palestinian hands. A spokesman for Hamas, Sami Abu Zuhri, said the group "blesses the heroic operation in Jerusalem, which was a natural reaction to the Zionist massacre".
There were reports of celebratory gunfire in Gaza after news broke about the attack. The BBC's Crispin Thorold says this will be a particularly shocking incident for the Israeli public and Jewish people around the world - which comes at an extremely tense time. Israel, he says, is likely to take retaliatory action.
Hamas officials in Gaza welcomed the attack but stopped short of admitting responsibility.
The BBC's Crispin Thorold says this will be a particularly shocking incident for the Israeli public and Jewish people around the world - which comes at an extremely tense time.
Israel, he says, is likely to take retaliatory action.
Last week, Israeli forces launched a raid into northern Gaza in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed.Last week, Israeli forces launched a raid into northern Gaza in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many civilians - were killed.
Shortly after the Jerusalem shooting, Islamic Jihad, said four of its fighters had been killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Israel says the measures are designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.Israel says the measures are designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
Recent rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large Israeli city to the Gaza Strip. Recent rocket attacks have hit deeper into southern Israel, reaching Ashkelon, the closest large city to the Gaza Strip.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
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