Man attacks pedestrians & vehciles with a bulldozer

On 2 July 2008 a Palestinian man used a bulldozer to attack pedestrians and vehicles in the downtown Jerusalem area. The incident began at approximately 0900 UTC on the main Jaffa Road in West Jerusalem; at least three people were killed and more than 40 others were injured. The man crushed several vehicles and overturned an Egged public bus before he was shot and injured by a civilian and then shot again and killed by security personnel. The attacker reportedly worked at a local construction company, which is why he had access to the bulldozer. Authorities declared a state of emergency in Jerusalem following the incident, but stated that they expected to lift it in the course of the day. For the time being, Israeli authorities will likely maintain increased security measures in the area, which may lengthen travel times or impede travel. Authorities have identified the attacker as a 32-year old Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem. According to an Israeli media source, three groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials believe that the perpetrator acted alone. Hamas, which is currently observing a cease-fire agreement with Israel, denied any connection to the attack, which the Islamic Jihad praised but did not claim any responsibility for. Israeli officials have stated that the attack was likely politically motivated, possibly in response to the situation in Gaza or Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and/or West Bank.