A Palestinian gunman opened fire in West Jerusalem today, wounding at least 15 people during the evening rush hour before being shot dead by police.
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Israeli policemen search the scene after a Palestinian gunman opened fire in downtown Jerusalem today.
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Israeli officials have promised reprisals for the attack for which Hamas has claimed responsibility.
The attack occurred hours after Israeli troops killed five Hamas members in a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus and the militant group vowed to avenge their deaths.
Jerusalem police chief Mr Mickey Levy said a lone Palestinian gunman opened fire at people waiting at a bus stop. "He tried to run away. After a short chase of about 50 feet [police] succeeded in killing him," he told reporters.
"Israel will respond appropriately in a manner that will eliminate this ongoing threat to the people of Israel," said Mr Dore Gold, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Mr Gold said that no specific decision had been taken and a cabinet meeting to decide on Israel's response had not been arranged.
"The Palestinians are determined to continue their targeting of Israeli civilians in the heart of our cities," Mr Gold said.
The new wave of bloodshed added to the challenges US Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni will have to tackle on his still-unscheduled return to the region he left on January 6th.