Israel: Attacker has hostages at Turkish Embassy

[oberliner]

JERUSALEM — An Israeli official says a man is holding hostages in the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv after shots were fired outside.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor confirmed Tuesday that the attacker was holding hostages. "This is a hostage situation," he told The Associated Press. A lawyer told Israel Radio that the hostages, the consul and his wife, escaped.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxmUtN9z8a8gKjt40-PxsrfVPbsgD9HLBSIG2

JERUSALEM (AP) — Shots were fired Tuesday at the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv, wounding one person, Israeli police said.

Police would not confirm reports that a man entered the embassy and made demands. Anonymous Israeli officials said the attacker was a Palestinian who tried to seek asylum at the British Embassy four years ago and was turned away.

Israel Radio reported from the scene that rescue workers with stretchers tried to enter the seaside embassy compound but left without bringing out any wounded.

[shaayecanaan]

1. A Palestinian in Tel Aviv?

And one with access to a weapon? Sounds like a strange beast.

[oberliner]

2. Blast from the past

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5308280.stm

The above 2006 article provides some interesting insights into the person in question.