(14:52) Four dead, dozens wounded in Hadera terrorist attack By The Jerusalem Post Internet Staff

A Palestinian terrorist opened fire shortly before 15:00 on a crowded street in downtown Hadera.

Four Israelis were killed and close to 40 were wounded in the hail of bullets. The identities of those killed in the attack have not yet been released.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack in a videotaped message, according to The Associated Press. The two terrorists who carried out the attack came from Jenin refugee camp, Israel Radio reported.

The attack took place near the city's central library on downtown Hanassi Street.

An eyewitness reported seeing what she believed to be the body of the terrorist, along which lay a Kalashnikov assault rifle and three magazines.

Magen David Adom emergency medical teams and security forces are on the scene at this time.

According to initial reports, a red Mitsubishi pulled to a halt on Hanassi Street and at least one of two terrorists in the vehicle began shooting into a crowd of people on a sidewalk.

Hadera police detectives arrived at the scene quickly and shot and killed both terrorists, Israel Radio reported.

Another eyewitness who stood outside his office and witnessed the entire attack told Israel Radio said he saw a man emerge from the van and begin shooting in all directions with an M-16 assault rifle.

Area resident Anton Newman reported hearing a burst of automatic gunfire and then a series of single shots. He said people started running in panic away from the scene of the shooting.

Police have sealed the area and are patrolling heavily around the city and surrounding region.

Ambulances arrived on the scene and are evacuating the wounded to Hadera's Hillel Yaffe Hospital.

Thirteen people remain hospitalized, three in serious condition, one in moderate conditon, and the rest with light to moderate wounds, Israel Radio reported.

Hillel Yaffe Hospital has established an emergency hotline for information on admitted patients: 1255166. Callers outside Israel must dial 972 before the emergency number.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001