A 13-year-old female Palestinian was shot and lightly wounded at the Eliyahu checkpoint, near the West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe, on Wednesday after refusing to stop when commanded by border guards.

According to the Defense Ministry, the young girl approached the checkpoint carrying a bag. Civilian checkpoint guards ordered her to stop and fired a warning shot in the air, at which point the suspect began to reach toward her shirt. The guard then shot the suspect in the leg to stop her.

Sappers who searched the girl's bag found no traces of explosives or weapons. According to the Defense Ministry, the girl said "I came to die" during her initial questioning. She is currently hospitalized at Meir Hospital in Kfar Sava.

Israeli security officials fear a surge of attacks in the West Bank and East Jerusalem ahead of the Jewish High Holy Days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that the potential for violence could rise as the Jewish High Holy Days approach.

"The security forces are on heightened alert and I will meet with them today in order to ensure that we will be ready to defend our people during this sensitive period," he said at the weekly cabinet meeting.