The 67-year-old leader told a press conference at the site of the attack: ""We know the identity of the attacker, according to all the signs he is a supporter of Islamic State. We have sealed off Jabel Mukabar, the neighbourhood from where he came, and we are carrying out other actions which I will not detail.”

The truck and driver was shot at by security services at least 11 times after it rammed into a popular promenade - Armon Hanatziv - overlooking the walled Old City.

Eyewitnesses said the truck hit a group of unsuspecting people who had been getting off a coach as they arrived at the popular spot in the southern part of the city.

Mr Netanyahu visited the scene and convened his security cabinet, a forum of senior ministers, to discuss Israel's response.



He said: "We know the identity of the attacker. According to all the signs he is a supporter of Islamic State."

The Israeli PM said that security forces were controlling access in and out of the neighbourhood.

Authorities have called it a deliberate attack.



A police spokeswoman said: "It is a terrorist attack, a ramming attack."