A Palestinian terrorist opened fire at an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank early Friday morning, leading to an hours-long exchange of fire that ultimately resulted in the gunman being killed in a helicopter strike, according to the military and media reports.

At least seven people were wounded in the clashes with the gunman, one of them critically, media reports and hospital officials said.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the incident began in the early morning hours, with the terrorist opening fire at a minibus near the settlement of Dolev, causing no injuries.

Troops began a pursuit after the gunman, during which they came under fire several times throughout the morning.

The IDF said it scrambled an attack helicopter and drones in its search for the terrorist.

Footage aired by Palestinian media showed the Israeli helicopter carrying out a strike in the area of the clashes. According to Hebrew-language media reports, the terrorist was killed in the strike.

Hebrew media said seven people were hurt in the incident, including one in critical condition and two in serious condition.

Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah said three people were admitted to the medical center after sustaining injuries in clashes with a Palestinian gunman. One was listed as being in serious condition, the hospital said. The other two were moderately and lightly hurt, it added.

It was not immediately clear where the other wounded were being treated or what their condition was.

Security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank have been on high alert since the start of Ramadan last week. Tensions were already high between Israelis and Palestinians due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the October 7 massacre, which saw Hamas terrorists murder about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnap 253.

Since October 7, the IDF has said troops have arrested some 3,500 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including more than 1,500 affiliated with Hamas.

Palestinians say over 400 people have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since hostilities broke out, most while carrying out attacks or during clashes with IDF troops during nightly raids that have largely concentrated on a handful of areas in the northern West Bank. However, killings of innocent bystanders have also been alleged.