Israel reluctant to accuse Islamic State over bar shootings despite hallmarks

An Israeli forensic policeman works at the scene of a shooting rampage by Israeli Arab Nashat Melhem at a bar in Tel Aviv, in this January 1, 2016 file picture. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/Files

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - It appeared to have hallmarks of the first Islamic State attack in Israel: A Muslim citizen opened fire on a Tel Aviv bar days after the militant group threatened the country, and left behind a black ISIS banner.

But security officials, given pause by the erratic conduct of the slain gunman and wary of aggravating strains with Israel's largely quiescent Arab minority, are steering clear of definitively linking him with Islamic State.