A group of Jewish hikers traveling in the eastern Gush Etzion area entered the Palestinian Authority village of Sa'ir a short time ago, apparently by mistake.
Members of the group were attacked with stones by dozens of Arab rioters from the village.
Security forces called to the scene arrived to rescue the hikers.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that a community security coordinator who was the first to arrive was attacked with a rock by one of the terrorists and opened fire in self-defense.
The Palestinian Arabs, however, claimed that the group deliberately entered the village and set a fire there, leading to clashes between the sides.
Later, the IDF said: "Earlier today (Friday), IDF soldiers dispatched to the area of Sa'ir following a report of Palestinians hurling rocks towards a group of Israeli civilians who were present in the area without advanced authorization."
"As a result of the rock hurling, Israeli civilians were injured. A security official opened fire in the area, and there are Palestinian casualties as a result of the shooting."
Regarding the blaze, the IDF said, "In an additional report that was received regarding a structure under construction being set on fire, firefighting crews worked to extinguish the fire."
"IDF soldiers operated to disperse the confrontation and removed the Israeli civilians from the area.
"The IDF clarifies that the presence of Israeli civilians in the area without prior coordination and authorization endangers the civilians and diverts the soldiers’ efforts away from defensive and counterterrorism activities.
"At this time, officers from the Judea and Samaria District Police are at the scene with IDF soldiers, operating to collect evidence and testimonies as part of an investigation that has been launched."