On Saturday, the Israeli military is working in the West Bank in an attempt to catch two suspected terrorists who shot and killed an Israeli security guard late Friday in the West Bank community of Ariel.

An unidentified military officer informed reporters that the manhunt began immediately after the incident and is being carried out with the help of intelligence and special forces on the ground, as well as Israeli police and the General Secret Service.

Two operatives from the Hamas militant organisation were captured overnight, according to the official, although he did not clarify whether they were linked to the incident.Following the event, roadblocks and checkpoints were erected up all across the West Bank.

The escalation comes at a time when tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been at an all-time high in recent weeks. Following a string of strikes in recent weeks that killed 15 Israelis, Israeli police have increased their presence in Palestinian communities in the West Bank.