A man described as an Israeli army deserter shot and killed four people near a northern Israeli-Arab town, but was then killed by a huge mob of angry townspeople.

Israeli media quote witnesses as saying the mob killing came shortly after the Israeli opened fire aboard a bus Thursday afternoon near the Israeli-Arab town of Shfaram.  Witnesses say two girls and the bus driver were among the dead.

At least 12 others were wounded before locals stormed the bus and killed the gunman. He was identified as a religious deserter from the army who refused to take part in the upcoming Israeli pullout of the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli news reports say the shooter was a member of the outlawed extremist Kach party.