Tel Aviv shooting: Gunman opens fire on busy bar in deadly New Year's Day attack in Israel
Initial reports suggest at least two people have been killed and up to seven wounded
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A gunman has opened fire on a busy bar in central Tel Avivi, killing at least two people and wounding several more.
While initial reports on casualties varied, local media suggested two other people were seriously injured in the incident.
Witnesses described a single gunman armed with an assault rifle, with one telling the Time of Israel the shooter "smiled before opening fire".
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told the Associated Press it was not immediately clear if the attack was a terrorist incident or a gangland shooting.
But it comes in the midst of more than three months of near-daily violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis.
Speaking to Reuters, the bar's owner Nati Shakked said the assailant waited on a bench outside for the place to get busier before taking a machine-gun out of a bag and "shooting in every direction".
"It was a terrorist attack, without a doubt," Shakked told Israel's Channel Two television.
The gunman was believed to have escaped the scene. Channel 10 news reported that local businesses had shut as a large police force arrived on the scene, while police said a manhunt was underway.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments