Israelis stabbed to death near Tel Aviv synagogue

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri says troops have arrested a Palestinian suspect and are searching for a possible accomplice.

Much of the Israeli-Palestinian violence has been focused on the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, but Thursday’s attack in the economic hub of Tel Aviv returned the unrest to the Israeli heartland.

The incident took place during a Jewish prayer service, Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tweeted.

A drive-by shooting has been reported in the Etzion Bloc of the West Bank.

Haaretz reported that the assailant received a permit to enter Israel from the West Bank about a month ago, and that he told police he entered Israel with the intent to attack and kill Jews. The second was dashed to the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Vaknin said he and the rest of the worshipers – around 15 to 20 – pushed the attacker outside and barricaded the door while he shouted in Arabic and continued to try to force his way back in.

Fifteen-year-old Tariq Abu Khdeir, of Tampa, Florida, was beaten at an east Jerusalem protest following the gruesome murder of his cousin. According to Israeli police, the assailant opened fire from his vehicle. It was not immediately clear what he was doing in Tel Aviv. Near the city last week, two Israelis, a father and son, were killed on their way to a dinner. Several politicians have urged licensed gun owners to carry their weapons and there have been several bloody accidents.

Numerous Palestinian fatalities were attackers in near-daily stabbings of Israelis, shot by their victims or security forces.