An Israeli security guard was "very seriously" wounded after being stabbed by unknown man overnight in a West Bank settlement, police said on Friday.

An Israeli security guard was "very seriously" wounded after being stabbed by unknown man overnight in a West Bank settlement, police said on Friday.

Police called to a shopping centre in the Maaleh Adumim settlement found "a 47-year-old man, a guard at the mall, lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds on his body," a police statement said.

"It appears that this was a (Palestinian) nationalist-motivated attack," it said, adding that in response the settlement had been closed to entry for Palestinians until Sunday.

"According to security cameras a man of seemingly Arab appearance, carrying a knife and an axe, was seen fleeing the scene," the statement said.

"A widespread search for him is being carried out."

Al-Quds’ (Jerusalem) Hadassah hospital said in a statement that the man was undergoing surgery.

"He is in very serious condition and his life is in danger," it said in a statement.