Three people have been shot dead at a nightclub in Tel Aviv.

Several others were wounded in the incident which happened on the central Ahad Ha'am street at a club frequented by members of the gay community.

Israeli television said a black-clad gunman killed two people in the shooting.

A police spokesman confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as "criminal, rather than nationalistic"

The attack is not being connected with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Channel Two television said police were searching for a man wearing black who was spotted fleeing the scene.

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