At least six dead in Israeli election day attack
At least four Israelis and two attackers were killed when gunmen opened fire at a Likud Party office and at passengers in a nearby bus terminal in a northern Israeli town in an election day attack.
Dozens were wounded in the attack on the town of Beit Shean, rescue workers said.
A gun battle erupted on the street, with police and armed bystanders firing at the attackers.
Two gunmen were killed, and a third was holed up in a house opposite the Likud branch, occasionally firing at the office. Security forces ringed the house.
One of the attackers wore a suicide bomber’s explosives belt that did not go off.
“There are dead here,” said witness Yitzhak Avraham, adding that grenades were thrown by the assailants.
Police also found a stolen car near the bus station and were checking it for explosives.
The attack came as Likud members throughout Israel were voting in a leadership contest between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Witness said the Beit Shean branch of the Likud was crowded with voters when the gunmen opened fire.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
