The scene in Hebron following the sniper attack. Photo: Yerach Rapp / Tazpit News Agency.

An Israeli Defense Force soldier was killed on Sunday by an Arab sniper in Hebron, Israeli media reported.

The name of the fallen IDF solider was not released, but his family were notified of their loss.

Tazpit News Agency reported that snipers fired on a military post under guard by the IDF soldier, who was shot in the neck. The soldier was evacuated by Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom to a Jerusalem hospital where he later died from the bullet wound.

After the soldier was evacuated, Hebron was placed under a complete lockdown, with security forces surrounding the area to locate and apprehend the shooter.

The attack came during the traditional Sukkot celebrations in Hebron, where the main event of the festival was scheduled to take place on Monday, and two days after another violent death of an IDF soldier. On Friday, 20-year old IDF soldier Sgt. Tomer Hazan was murdered by an Arab acquaintance who lured him to a village near Qalqilya. He was laid to rest on Saturday.

“The soldier participated in the IDF routine activities defending the Jewish Neighborhood of Hebron and approximately 11000 civilians visiting the area during the holiday of Sukkot,” the IDF said in a statement.

“This lethal attack illustrates the complex security challenges the IDF faces on a daily basis in Judea & Samaria. The IDF will employ the necessary means, operational and intelligence, to apprehend those responsible for this deathly attack. The IDF will continue to act to prevent terror and safeguard the civilians of the State of Israel and its soldiers,” said IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.