Teenage girl wielding knife shot by Israeli security forces in West Bank

The incident is the latest in a series of violent knife attacks on Israelis

An Israeli security forces members monitors the site where a Palestinian woman tried to stab an Israeli soldier before being shot dead, in the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Hebron, on February 13, 2016. (HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images)

A Palestinian woman has been shot by Israeli security forces after attempting to stab a soldier.

A Palestinian bystander who tried to prevent the attack was seriously injured and needed to be hospitalised.

The targeted solider escaped with minor injuries.

"An assailant drew a knife and attempted to stab a soldier," an IDF statement said. "Responding to the attack, forces fired at the perpetrator, resulting in her death."

Israeli policeman looks down on a knife seen at scene of shooting in Hebron (EPA/ABED AL HASHLAMOUN)

The girl was named as 17 year-old Kilzar Mohd Abdulhaleem al-Owiwi.

The incident occurred in the city of Hebron in the West Bank, which has been a flashpoint for recent violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

A heavily guarded Israeli settlement of around 850 people in Hebron is a serious cause of contention in the city. Settlements in Palestinian territory have been widely condemned as illegal by the international community.

Further adding to tensions is a religious site in Hebron. Both sides stake a claim to what is known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque.

There has been an increase in violent attacks on Israelis since October last year. Twenty-seven Israelis have been reported killed in stabbings, shootings and after being rammed by vehicles.

At least 157 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces in the same time.