Israeli security forces have shot dead a Palestinian man suspected of orchestrating the drive-by shooting of a rabbi in the West Bank last month.

Ahmad Nassar Jarrar, 22, was the leader of the group believed to be responsible for killing Rabbi Raziel Shevach, a father of six, near Nablus.

The gunman was traced to a Yamoun, a village near Jenin, in a joint operation by the IDF, Israeli police and the Shin Bet security services.

The initial intention was to arrest him, but when he emerged from his hiding place carrying an M-16 assault rifle and explosives, security services opened fire, killing him.

In a statement this morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised security forces for “the determined and complex operation they carried out last night to apprehend the terrorist, who was ultimately eliminated.

“Several days ago I told Rabbi Raziel Shevach’s widow that we would catch the murderers and last night the mission was completed.”

Tuesday morning’s security forces operation came a day after another West Bank settler, Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal, died after being stabbed yesterday while waiting for a journey home.

Mr Netanyahu said those responsible for his death would also be apprehended.

“The security forces will catch whoever tries to attack Israeli citizens and we will deal with them to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

“So it will be with the murderers of Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal.”