At least seven people killed and several injured after gunman opened fire outside synagogue in Jerusalem ‘terror attack’

AT least seven people have been shot dead in a suspected terror attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem.

It is understood the gunman started firing at worshippers as they were leaving the building in the Neve Yaakov neighbourhood of Israel's capital.

Police said the shooter was killed by security forces as he attempted to flee.

At least seven people were killed including a 70-year-old woman and three people were wounded, Jerusalem police chief Doron Turjeman said.

Victims including a 16-year-old boy and a woman in her 60s were rushed to hospital following the incident, which police have described as a "terror attack".

Cops say the gunman arrived at the synagogue by car at about 8.15pm (6.15pm GMT) before taking aim at people.

Police also released a photo of the pistol they say was used by the attacker.

Neve Yaakov is considered by Israelis as a neighbourhood within Jerusalem, while Palestinians and most of the international community consider it occupied land illegally annexed after a 1967 Middle East war.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly slammed the attack as "appalling".

He tweeted: "Appalling reports of a terror attack in Neve Yaakov this evening.

"To attack worshippers at a synagogue on Holocaust Memorial Day, and during Shabbat, is horrific.

"We stand with our Israeli friends."

The shooting, which happened as worshippers celebrated the Jewish Sabbath, comes a day after Israeli troops killed nine Palestinians in the deadliest West Bank raid in years.

The raid in the flashpoint Jenin refugee camp descended into a gunbattle that killed at least nine Palestinians, while clashes elsewhere left a tenth dead.