A photo of NYC terror attack suspect Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov after he plowed into a crowd of pedestrians in lower Manhattan. Photo: Twitter

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York launched what is certain to be a stream of solidarity messages from Israeli leaders following Tuesday evening’s terrorist attack in Lower Manhattan, in which at least eight people are reported to have been killed, with dozens more wounded.

“Just as the US has always stood by our side in our times of need, Israel will always stand with America in the fight against terror,” Ambassador Danny Danon said in a message to his American counterpart Nikki Haley. “We send our condolences to the families of those killed and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”

The suspect –  Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29 year-old Uzbek national who resides in Paterson, New Jersey and arrived in the US in 2010 – drove a rental truck onto a jogging and bike path, plowing into pedestrians and cyclists until he crashed into a school bus. Exiting the truck, the suspect waved imitation firearms, before being shot in the abdomen by a uniformed police officer.

Multiple reports said that Saipov shouted “Allahu Akhbar!” during the attack. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is taking over the lead of the investigation.

After being shot, Saipov was taken for surgery and is expected to survive.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio denounced what he called “an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror.” US President Donald Trump said on Twitter, “My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!”