Israeli police say three hurt in grenade attack

Three people have been wounded in a grenade attack by suspected Palestinian militants in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba…

Three people have been wounded in a grenade attack by suspected Palestinian militants in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, Israeli police said.

One of the militants was wrestled to the ground by a local shop owner after he threw a grenade or explosive device at market stalls outside a bank branch in the old quarter of Beersheba.

Deputy Police Chief Shimon Ben-Arush called the blast a "terrorist" attack and said police were pursuing a second man seen fleeing the scene.

"It appears that one or two terrorists threw a bomb or grenade close to the entrance of the bank. One of the terrorists was caught, and the other is being pursued. He fled on foot," he told Israel Radio.

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Ambulance workers said the three people wounded were only slightly hurt.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Palestinian militants have carried out a wave of bombings and shooting attacks against Israelis since a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began in September 2000 after negotiations became deadlocked.

Israel forces have recently waged a fierce offensive in the West Bank and have threatened further military action following a suicide bombing that killed 15 people near Tel Aviv on Tuesday.