Ramallah, Jul 27 (IANS): A young Palestinian man has been shot dead after he stabbed three Israelis near their settlement, south of this West Bank city, the Israeli Army and the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

A statement issued by the Israeli Army said the man was shot dead right after he carried out the stabbing attack on Thursday night in the settlement of Adam near here.

The identity of the 17-year-old Palestinian has not been officially confirmed, Xinhua news agency reported.

Photos of the young man published by Palestinian social media activists though said he was called Ahmad Abu Ayoosh, and was from Koober village, north of here.

The Israeli media reported that the attacker went into one of the houses in the settlement and stabbed the three -- two of whom were said to be in critical condition.

It also reported that the Israeli Army was chasing a car which was believed to be carrying another Palestinian who provided assistance to the attacker.