JERUSALEM, Israel -- Police have an Israeli in custody following an attack on a security guard at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said investigators are questioning the attacker to determine his motive, but it's unlikely the incident was connected to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

An eyewitness told Reuters he saw the assailant get out of a car and run toward the security guards.

"A Mazda car stopped next to the U.S. Embassy and a man got out carrying a red bag and a pitchfork," David Cohen, 48, said.

"He began to run toward the security guards. They saw him, took their guns out and told him to get down on the ground. He continued running and then they fired in the air and ordered him again to lie down. He continued to advance. They jumped on him and took his bag away," he said.

Israel Radio said the ax-wielding assailant is a 41-year-old Israeli from Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Geoff Anisman later said the "situation is under control."

The embassy is guarded round the clock by Israeli and American security guards.