Palestinian Arab gunmen shot and moderately wounded a 71-year-old Jewish man near the Samarian community of Keddumim on Monday.
According to eyewitnesses, a vehicle approached a hitchhiking station outside Keddumim and its occupants asked for directions to the Palestinian-controlled city of Nablus (biblical Shechem). At least one Arab then opened fire with an automatic weapon, hitting the victim in the legs.
Israeli forces began canvassing the area in an effort to capture the assailants, but it is believed they managed to flee to the safety of Palestinian Authority-controlled territory.
Roadside attacks against Jews in Judea and Samaria seem to be on the increase in recent weeks, possibly in relation to US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit.
Palestinian terror groups in the past have tried to ramp up their violence against Israelis during or prior to important diplomatic events.