An elderly man has been killed and several other wounded following a reported terror attack in Israel.

The attacker has been named locally as Jethro Shaheen but authorities are yet to confirm his identity.

The assailant, believed to be around 20-years-old, reportedly stabbed five people, killing a man in his 60s while injuring four others, according to police. The victim has not been publicly named.

A man and a woman in their 30s and a 15-year-old boy are in a critical condition, with a 70-year-old woman suffering ‘moderate’ injuries, local authorities have added.

Shaheen, who died at the scene, is believed to be a member of Israel’s Druze Arab minority who recently returned from abroad.

‘The terrorist, an Israeli Druze resident of Shfaram, had spent recent months abroad and returned to Israel last week’, the police said in a statement. 

‘A terrorist exited a bus, stabbed multiple civilians, and was subsequently neutralised by a security guard and a civilian at the scene,’ it added.

Hamed Amar of the Israeli right-wing opposition Yisrael Beytenu party said this morning’s stabbing does not represent the Druze community. 

He strongly condemned the attack, saying: ‘Such an act of terrorism is contrary to all moral and human values ​​and certainly does not reflect the loyal spirit of the Druze community in Israel, which is a full partner in the defense of the state and its values.’

Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service earlier said four people were injured in the incident at a busy bus station on Monday morning. 

Head of the MDA Eli Bin spoke of reports of gunfire – although these have not yet been confirmed. The police had also originally reported the attack as a shooting. 

In a statement, the MDA said: ‘This morning at 9.53am, Magen David Adom’s (MDA) 101 emergency dispatch centre in the Carmel region received a report of a stabbing attack at HaMifratz Central Station on HaHistadrut Boulevard in Haifa. 

‘Large MDA forces were dispatched to the scene, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, emergency medicycles, and MDA first responders. 

‘MDA and paramedics provided life-saving medical treatment and evacuated four injured individuals to Rambam Hospital.’ 

In an earlier statement an Israel police spokesman said: ‘Police forces are en route to the scene following reports of a suspected shooting attack in Haifa.

‘There are initial indications of multiple casualties, though their condition remains unclear.’

Paramedic Tom Retig added: ‘We arrived quickly and saw, near the security checkpoint at the entrance to HaMifratz Central Station, a 65-year-old man lying unconscious, without a pulse or breathing, with penetrating wounds.

‘We performed medical assessments, but unfortunately, there was nothing more we could do but pronounce him dead. 

‘Our other teams treated the remaining injured individuals.’

It is the first fatal attack in Israel since a ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip on January 19 between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The attack came as negotiations between the two sides stalled after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire ended at the weekend.

Hamas has rejected an Israeli request to extend the first phase – and says it will only release its remaining hostages under the terms of the current agreement.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would stop all goods and supplies entering Gaza.