At least eight Israeli students were killed in a gun battle in Merkaz Harav yeshiva in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood in Jerusalem on Thursday, a spokesman of the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency medical services told Xinhua.

The spokesman said the shooting occurred at the Merkaz Haravyeshiva at nightfall was a "multiple casualty event," which killed eight Israeli students.

The exact number of people killed in the incident was yet to be confirmed, as it was unclear exactly many assailants were involved.

Earlier, local media said one or two "terrorists" entered the school and opened fire indiscriminately, killing and wounding students. The website of local daily Ha'aretz said they might have been armed with explosive belts.

Some reports suggested the terrorists were shot and killed, while other reports from the scene said the incident was ongoing and shots were still being fired.

MDA also said that three of the injured were listed as being in very serious condition and have been taken to Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Karem, while another four were taken to Sha'arei Tzedek Medical Center.

Michael, a student who only gave his first name, told local media that he saw a terrorist entered the complex and fired for some 10 minutes. "He fired 500-600 bullets," he was quoted as saying, adding that most of those wounded were high school students.

A large number of police and emergency medical personnel were closing to the area.

In Gaza, Hamas welcomed the terrorist attack. "We bless the (Jerusalem) operation. It will not be the last," Hamas said in a statement.

In Gaza City, residents went out into the streets and fired rifles in the air in celebration after hearing news of the attack on the yeshiva.

Editor: Yan