Israeli soldiers secure Jewish worshippers gathered in the West Bank city of Hebron on Oct 3, 2023 to celebrate Sukkot, the weeklong holiday to commemorate the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert. (PHOTO / AP)

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military said they shot dead in the northern West Bank on Thursday two Palestinian gunmen who fired shots at an Israeli motorcyclist near the village of Shufa and then fled the scene. 

ALSO READ: Palestine sets up new committee against Israel's settlements

Israeli troops then closed roads in the area and located the two in a car before "neutralizing" them, according to a statement released by the Israeli military.

An M-16 rifle and magazines used by the Palestinians were found in the vehicle, it added.

READ MORE: Palestine official: Israeli actions undermine regional security

The official Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that the two youths were found dead after their car was targeted by Israeli soldiers near Shufa.

READ MORE: Israel reopens Gaza crossings, lets Palestinians back to work

The incident was the latest amid a surge of violence between Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank.