The male suspect was identified on Channel 10 TV News as 44-year-old Jerusalem resident Haim Eliyahu Havivi. Police had questioned him in the past after he expressed intentions to attack churches in Israel. The two female suspects are Havivi's wife, who is Christian, and their daughter.

Channel 10 TV News reported the Shin Bet domestic security service said Havivi is known to suffer from a mental illness.

Large police forces, including special riot-control units, were dispatched to the scene to push away thousands of people who gathered in an attempt to enter the compound and attack the suspects. Police were said to be using stun grenades in efforts to disperse the crowd.

Nazareth Mayor Ramez Juraisi and Deputy Mayor Ali Salaam were also attempting to persuade the rioters to disperse.

Rescue workers said at least two people were wounded in the unrest, and others were suffering from tear gas inhalation. Five police officers were wounded, officials said.

Public Security Minsiter Gideon Ezra said police efforts to extricate the three assailants were being prevented by the large crowd. Havivi was reportedly wounded in his head. A Magen David Adom ambulance crew was also unable to leave the church due to the angry mob.

At one point, the crowd attacked an ambulance, breaking windows and forcing it to turn away.

Advisor to the Latin Archbishop Wadiya Abu Nasser told Haaretz a full report of the incident was passed on to the Vatican and directly to the pope's office. Abu Nasser reported Vatican sources said the incident appeared very serious.

Khalil Hadad, a journalist situated in the church, told Haaretz the structure was lightly damaged when a stampede broke out and worshippers attempted to flee after the attack. Hadad said a gas canister remained in the church.

Hadash Chairman Mohammed Barakeh made a furious response to the attack on Friday.

"Such an act is proof of the fact that radical right-wing and settler terror groups feel they are free to perform their crimes, both in the territories and in Israel, against the Arab population," he said.

MK Barakeh called on the government to quit its forgiving policy towards these groups.

Balad Chairman MK Azmi Bishara condemned the attack and said it appeared to have been religiously or nationalistically motivated. He called on police not to turn the crowd into a hostile element.

The basilica is built at the site of the Annunciation, where the Virgin Mary was told by archangel Gabriel she he been chosen by God to bear His son, Jesus.