The Israeli army and ambulances announced that a guard stationed at the entrance to the settlement of Ariel in the occupied West Bank was shot dead by two attackers who fled by car.

The official Kan channel reported that the security guard was shot dead by unknown persons at the entrance to the settlement, and that there was a suspicion of a nationalistic background to the operation.

In turn, the Israeli army said in a statement that the two suspects, who were traveling in a car to the entrance to the city of Ariel, shot the security guard at the guard post, and then fled.

"The IDF and Shin Bet forces began pursuing the suspects, in addition to activating extensive intelligence efforts and closing roads in the area," the statement added.

The Israeli army neither confirmed nor denied the killing of the security guard.

Recently, Palestinians launched attacks on Israel, killing 13 people, the last of which was on April 7, when a Palestinian opened fire in Tel Aviv, killing two Israelis, and wounding 9 others, before he was martyred hours later.