Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the demolition of the homes of the terrorists who attacked a Jerusalem synagogue today.

Two men armed with knives and a gun stormed morning prayers at the strictly-Orthodox Har Nof district synagogue, killing four rabbis and wounding at least eight others.

The Palestinian assailants were killed in a shootout with police at the scene.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel would respond with a “heavy hand” and blamed Palestinian leaders.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he “condemns the killing of civilians no matter who is doing it”.

Two of the attackers, cousins Ghassan Abu Jamal and Uday Abu Jamal, were believed to have been behind the attacks and were both members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The group has praised the attack but has not claimed responsibility.