JERUSALEM, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli civilian was shot and seriously wounded in an incident suspected as a Palestinian attack in the West Bank on Tuesday, Israeli officials said.

A military spokesperson said the incident took place near the Israeli settlement of Havat Gilad, west of Nablus city.

A passing car opened fire at the man, the spokesperson said, adding that the assailants fled the scene.

"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) are searching the area for the perpetrators of this terror attack," the spokesperson said.

The man, 35, sustained serious injuries in his upper body and was evacuated to hospital, according to a statement released by the emergency health service.

The incident was the latest in a surge of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6.

The Palestinians wish to build their future capital in east Jerusalem, a territory that Israel seized during the 1967 Middle East war, together with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and annexed shortly later.