At least seven people shot dead in 'terror attack' in Tel Aviv as gunmen open fire moments before Iran strikes on Israel

2 October 2024, 09:16 | Updated: 2 October 2024, 09:23

Footage of the attack appears to show the two men clad in black getting off at the light rail station before they open fire.
Footage of the attack appears to show the two men clad in black getting off at the light rail station before they open fire. Picture: Social media

By Christian Oliver

Gunmen have opened fire on a Tel Aviv train station, killing seven people and wounding at least ten others in a shooting and stabbing attack.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Israeli police said two "terrorists" began their attack on the city's light railway where they continued on foot and opened fire on locals.

The pair were subsequently shot dead by civilians and officers using personal pistols in a boulevard in Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood.

The killings came just moments before a massive barrage of Iranian rockets rained down over the city, causing air raid sirens to sound and forcing locals into bomb shelters.

There has so far been no claim of responsibility for the attack, but Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Peter Lerner told LBC they were Palestinians from the West Bank city of Hebron.

Israeli forensic technicians work in a light rail car following a shooting attack in Jaffa
Israeli forensic technicians work in a light rail car following a shooting attack in Jaffa. Picture: Alamy
Israeli policemen take position after a shooting attack in Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish area of Tel Aviv, Tuesday
Israeli policemen take position after a shooting attack in Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish area of Tel Aviv, Tuesday. Picture: Alamy

Read More: 'The region is on the brink': Starmer warns against escalation in Downing Street address after Iran missile attack

Read More: British Forces 'played their part' in supporting Israel after Tehran missile barrage as Netanyahu warns of 'big mistake'

Footage of the attack appears to show the two men clad in black getting off at the light rail station before they open fire.

One of the men is seen executing one of the wounded with an assault rifle as the body lays on the floor. The other man appears to be holding a knife.

Another video of the aftermath showed a number of slain bodies slumped on the floor under the light rail station awning.

Video in the aftermath of the attack showed a number of bodies slumped under the awning of the station, while one image shared on social media purported to show the men executing one of wounded as they lay on the ground.

Israel's MDA ambulance service said it received a report of people injured by gunfire. Paramedics provided on-site treatment to those who were wounded, some of whom were left unconscious, MDA said.

Five of those wounded were described as being in a serious condition.

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari this morning, Mr Lerner, the Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, said: "These terrorists from what I understand were two Palestinians that came from Hebron, got on the light rail in southern Tel Aviv, Jaffa, [and] stabbed a person, took a weapon and went on a rampage killing six people.

"Since the 7th of October we have been confronted with terrorism and attacks and war on seven fronts, this is just another front that Israel is experiencing.

He said the attack was "extremely concerning" and amid ballistic missile fire from Iran, has resulted in a "very challenging time to be in Israel today".

Israeli forensic officers work at the site of a shooting attack in the mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood of Jaffa
Israeli forensic officers work at the site of a shooting attack in the mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood of Jaffa. Picture: Alamy
An IDF officer stands at the site of a shooting attack in the mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood of Jaffa
An IDF officer stands at the site of a shooting attack in the mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood of Jaffa. Picture: Alamy

One witness told the Jerusalem Post: "We were on the light rail when we suddenly heard gunfire from outside.

"At first, we thought it was fireworks, but then we realised it was something much worse. There were many gunshots. We dropped to the floor, and people were crying. I saw someone bleeding on the ground.

"I saw crowds of people running and shouting ‘terror attack’,” added a nearby shop owner. “I quickly closed my shutters and locked up."

Another witness told Haaretz: "I saw a terrorist shoot a girl who was on the floor and another girl, then I saw the terrorist shoot a man on a bicycle who fell to the floor, but I don’t think he wasn’t hurt. At that moment a civilian arrived with a gun and shot the terrorist."

The attack came as Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel - suspected to total some 200 rockets.

It came after Israelis said they had begun a limited ground incursion into Lebanon targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia.

Israel said it intercepted many of the missiles fired by Iran, and officials in Washington said US destroyers had assisted in Israel's defence.

Iran said most of its missiles hit their targets. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed late on Tuesday to retaliate against Iran, which he said "made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it".

An Iranian commander threatened wider strikes on infrastructure if Israel retaliates against Iran's territory.

The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday to address the spiralling conflict.

Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire across the Lebanon border almost daily since October 8, the day after Hamas' cross-border attack on October 7 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage. Israel declared war on the militant group in the Gaza Strip in response.

More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory, and just over half the dead have been women and children, according to local health officials.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

pregnant woman holds an ultrasound photo of her baby, smiling as she gazes at the image. The ultrasound shows a clear picture of the developing baby,

UK's fertility rate falling faster than any other G7 nation - with austerity a 'principal factor'

Exclusive
'He’s deluded': Couple who sued police for racial profiling call for retired officers to be held accountable

'He’s deluded': Couple who sued police for racial profiling call for retired officers to be held accountable

P&O Ferries owner 'will attend' PM's investment summit despite Haigh's 'cowboy operator' comments

P&O Ferries owner 'will attend' PM's investment summit despite Haigh's 'cowboy operator' comments

A chilling 'underwater boom' could be the last trace of the doomed MH370 flight which vanished from flight radar screens a decade ago and was never seen again.

Mysterious 'underwater boom' could finally reveal fate of flight MH370 after vanishing 10 years ago in Indian Ocean

'Not the view of the government': Starmer rebukes P&O 'cowboy operator' as Labour MPs line-up to back Haigh

'Not the view of the government': Starmer rebukes P&O 'cowboy operator' remarks as Labour MPs back Haigh

R. Kelly's daughter Buku Abi accuses singer of sexually abusing her as a child

R. Kelly's daughter Buku Abi accuses singer of sexually abusing her as a child

EU leaders 'outraged' at Israel as nation urged to stop shooting at UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

EU leaders 'outraged' as Israel urged to stop shooting at UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

Christopher Columbus' remains 'absolutely confirmed' using DNA evidence solving 500 year mystery

500-year-old mystery solved as Christopher Columbus' remains 'absolutely confirmed' using new DNA evidence

London, UK. 21st Sep, 2024 - Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park.                                            Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag with Assistant Managers Ruud van Credit: Mark Pain / Alamy Live News

Manchester United's dressing room 'bugged' in bizarre security breach ahead of Aston Villa clash

A row has broken out over whether Celine Dion's Olympic opening ceremony performance was pre-recorded or not.

Celine Dion accused of 'faking' Olympics performance with 'pre-recorded track' as fans rally around star

Charles told anti-monarchists he will not intervene if a vote is held

King Charles 'won't stand in way' if Australia chooses to axe monarchy and become republic

Just Stop Oil protesters glued themselves to Museum wall and then threw tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh's famous iconic 1888-9 art work 'Sunflowers'

'These attacks have to stop': National Museum directors call for end to protests as visitors 'no longer feel safe'

P

PM's investment summit in chaos as port giant pulls £1bn announcement after minister brands P&O 'cowboy operator'

Meghan Markle has 'talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world'.

Meghan Markle 'spoke about being one of the most bullied people in the world' when meeting teens in California

Virginia McCullough has been jailed for life for the murder of both her parents

Bodies of couple murdered by daughter and hidden in house for four years only discovered after GP raised concerns

Johnny Jenkins says we have a serious problem in this country with people running late

Lateness isn’t just inconvenient - it’s unacceptable