US Tourist Opens Fire At Israeli Hotel

A young American tourist opened fire at a hotel in the Israeli resort of Eilat, killing at least one person, before he was shot dead.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the tourist stole a gun from a security guard at the Leonardo Club hotel in the Red Sea resort and fired a number of shots.

Anti-terror units stormed the building and the the gunman returned fire from the kitchen, Mr Rosenfeld said, before he was hit and killed.

Dana Zinati, a spokeswoman for the Eilat municipality, told Israel's Channel 2 the suspect was an American Jewish man in his 20s who came to Israel as part of a programme.

Israeli media reported the man had once worked at the hotel and that the person shot dead was a hotel employee who had argued with him.

Police have not verified that account.

Michal Bouaron, a guest at the hotel, said police ordered people to stay in their rooms during the incident.

The hotel was full because of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Eilat is a favourite holiday destination for many Israelis.