All Texas synagogue hostages safely rescued

Colleyville: All the remaining hostages being held at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, were safely released on Saturday night.

The man had initially taken four people hostage, including the rabbi, at the Congregation Beth Israel. One hostage was released unharmed six hours later.

Local reporters said they heard the sound of explosions, possibly flashbangs, and the sound of gunfire shortly before Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the crisis was over.

The Colleyville Police Department said it first responded to the synagogue with SWAT teams in response to emergency calls beginning at about 10:41 a.m. 

No injuries were reported and it remained unclear what weapons the man had.

The FBI has declined to identify the gunman, saying "there is no threat of terrorism in the United States."

According to a White House spokesman, President Joe Biden was briefed on the matter, who expressed satisfaction with the law enforcement agencies' action. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter he was praying for the safety of the hostages.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has also condemned the attack on an Israeli synagogue.