Israelis say gunman who killed 5 was West Bank Palestinian

Israeli police say the attacker who used an assault rifle to methodically gun down victims from a motorcycle in a central Israeli city was a Palestinian

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israeli police on Wednesday said the attacker who used an assault rifle to methodically gun down victims from a motorcycle in a central Israeli city was a Palestinian.

The shooter, identified as Diaa Hamarsheh, 27, from the occupied West Bank village of Yabad, was killed by police late Tuesday. Israeli media said the military raided the man's home early Wednesday and arrested several of his relatives as part of its investigation into the attack.

The incident was the third attack of its kind ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The previous two attacks, carried out by Palestinian citizens of Israel who were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, have raised concerns of further violence.

Israel “stands before a wave of murderous Arab terrorism,” declared Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. He pledged to combat it “with perseverance, stubbornness and an iron fist.” He held an emergency meeting of top security officials and planned a meeting of his Security Cabinet on Wednesday.