The attack on a Jerusalem synagogue has left at least seven dead, according to Israeli police

In the midst of high tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories, a shooting near a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday left at least seven people dead and three injured.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir addresses Israeli forces on January 27, 2023. Image courtesy: CNN /Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

In a later police operation, the shooter was also killed, police said, in what police chief Yaakov Shabtai termed as “one of the worst terror attacks in the past few years.”

“As a result of the shooting attack, the death of 7 civilians was determined and 3 others were injured with additional degrees of injury,” police said.

Four men and one woman were pronounced dead at the scene by Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency rescue service. The ambulances transported five people to hospitals, where another man and woman were pronounced dead.

According to the MDA, one of the wounded is a 15-year-old boy.

In a police statement, the attack occurred around 8:15 p.m. near a synagogue on Neve Yaakov Street.

As Shabtai described it, the shooter “started shooting at anyone that was in his way. He got in his car and started a killing spree with a pistol at short range.” The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and was shot and killed by police forces, police said.

Israeli security forces search a car at the site of a reported attack in a settler neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on January 27, 2023. CNN/Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

An East Jerusalem resident, 21, was identified as the gunman, according to police, who said he appeared to be acting alone. During the 1967 war, Israel captured part of East Jerusalem, which is predominantly Palestinian.

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu urged people to refrain from revenge attacks on Friday night. “I call on the people not to take the law into their own hands. For that purpose we have an army, police and security forces. They act and will act according to the cabinet instructions,” said the minister.

During a visit to the attack site, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, “it cannot continue like this.”

“I can tell you, [the people chanting] you are right. The burden is on us. It cannot continue like this,” said Ben Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party.

A security force deploys in a settler neighbourhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, on January 27, 2023, following a report of an attack. Image courtesy: CNN /Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

A statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the "heinous terror attack" on a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday.

In addition to the EU, France and the UK condemned the shooting. The UN Secretary General's spokesman also condemned Friday's deadly attack.