Two people were killed this afternoon when a car bomb exploded at Jerusalem's outdoor Mahaneh Yehuda market close to 3 pm just as an Israeli-Palestinian truce was to be announced.

Flames burst from the car, and huge black plumes of smoke rose into the sky as wailing ambulances rushed to a narrow side street near Jerusalem's Mahaneh Yehuda outdoor market, which sells food, vegetables and clothing.

According to Jerusalem police chief Yair Yitzhaki, the two victims, a man and a woman, were innocent passersby.

Photos are of: Police Chief Yehuda Vilk and Magen David Adom Chief who took charge at the scene