A Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli soldier near the flashpoint West Bank city Hebron before being shot dead, the army said, the latest death in a flare-up of violence.

"An assailant armed with a knife attempted to stab an IDF (Israel Defence Force) soldier at a checkpoint at the entrance to (the village of) Bani Naim," a statement said. 

"Responding to the immediate threat, forces fired at the assailant, resulting in his death."