Four soldiers killed, 17 injured in Israel

A Palestinian rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers visiting a popular tourist spot in Jerusalem yesterday, killing four and wounding 17 others, authorities said.

The driver was also killed at the location overlooking holy sites such as the Dome of the Rock and providing one of the most spectacular views of Jerusalem.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who visited the scene said in a statement: "We know the identity of the assailant, who according to all indications supported IS (Islamic State group)."

Palestinian security officials said the driver was a Palestinian in his late 20s from east Jerusalem's Jabal Mukaber neighbourhood. Palestinian media named him as Fadi Al-Qanbar.

Five members of his family were arrested for questioning, Israeli police said.

Chaos broke out at the scene when the truck ploughed through the crowd, as hundreds of soldiers took part in a tour about the history of Jerusalem.

"A lone terrorist drove his truck into a group of soldiers standing on the side of the road," said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

"They got off the bus, and as they were getting off the bus and getting organised, he took advantage."

Reacting to claims that soldiers were slow to react, the army released a video of a soldier saying he shot after realising it was not an accident.