Five killed in West Bank and Tel Aviv violence

A Palestinian suspect reportedly opened fire from a vehicle, then crashed into a group of pedestrians near a settlement in the occupied West Bank Thursday, killing three and wounding eight people.

Two Israelis and a Palestinian bystander were killed, the police said.

Initial reports said the suspect was killed at the scene, with later reports confirming two suspects were arrested by Israeli forces, Maan news agency reported.  

The incident occurred at a junction near the Gush Etzion block of settlements south of Jerusalem, according to police.

It was the second attack of the day, following a stabbing incident in Tel Aviv where two people died and three others were wounded.

The alleged Palestinian assailant was slightly injured and arrested, according to al-Araby al-Jadeed's Palestine correspondent.

Police described the alleged attacker as a 24-year-old from the Hebron area in the occupied West Bank.

One of those killed was an Israeli man of around 20, while the other was a man of around 50, police said.

Israeli media has reported that the attack occurred around a room used as a synagogue in a larger building in Israel's commercial capital.

One of the wounded was in serious condition, medics said.

Thursday's violence brings the number of Israelis killed in the wave of unrest to 17 since the start of October. At least 82 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.