The brutal killings of five worshippers - including three Americans - in a Jerusalem synagogue Tuesday by two Palestinians wielding meat cleavers and a gun appears to be a lone-wolf attack, Israel's national police commissioner says, reports GHN based on Fox News.
The violence was met with celebration from Palestinians, as revelers in the Gazan city of Rafah handed out candy and brandished axes and posters of the suspects in praise of the deadly attack, according to the Jerusalem Post. Hamas-affiliated social media also circulated violent and anti-Semitic cartoons hailing the killings.
National Police Commissioner Yochanan Danino told the newspaper that a preliminary investigation of the attack indicates a grassroots, independent effort.
Hamas said the attack was motivated by revenge after a Palestinian bus driver was found hanged in his vehicle earlier in the week, and called for more violence.
But Israeli police believe Youssef al-Ramouni, 32, who was found dead at the start of his bus route on Sunday, committed suicide, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The American citizens killed Tuesday -- identified by the State Department as Mosheh Twersky, Aryeh Kupinsky and Cary William Levine -- were killed along with a Briton when the assailants, identified as cousins, stormed the building during morning prayers and began attacking people. Police said those killed were all immigrants to Israel and held dual citizenship.