A Palestinian gunman has killed two people and injured six others after opening fire near the Israeli police headquarters in Jerusalem.

The attacker - who had been due to start a four-month jail term for assaulting a police officer next week - drove his car towards a stop of the city's light rail network and opened fire at passengers waiting there, police said.

He then drove on, shooting at a woman in her car.

After being chased to the predominantly Arab neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in east Jerusalem by police on motorbikes, the suspect stepped out of the car and fired at the officers.

A separate group of police shot and killed the Palestinian, who was identified as a 39-year-old from East Jerusalem.


A police officer and woman who were taken to hospital later died of their injuries.

Image: The gunman first opened fire at a light railway stop

Arriving for a cabinet meeting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Moments ago we experienced in Jerusalem a shooting attack by a terrorist in a vehicle.

"He injured a number of people. We are still clarifying the details. Our forces are in the field.

"First I would like to wish a speedy recovery to the injured. And also to say, that according to the reports we're getting, this was very fast, very determined action of the Israeli police officers who chased the terrorist and eliminated him."

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for the Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip, said the attack was "a natural reaction to the crimes and violations of the occupation against our people".

Hamas said the suspect was a member of the organisation.

Palestinian attacks, mainly stabbings, have killed 34 Israelis and two visiting Americans in just over a year.

About 218 Palestinians have been killed during that period. Israel says the majority of them were suspected attackers, while others died in clashes and protests.