The Palestinian health ministry says an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed no fewer than 10 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, in an attack which the Israeli military said targeted armed militants.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the occupied West Bank overnight and into Wednesday.

The sudden expansion of Israeli security operations in the West Bank has killed at least 10 people and follows the start of the delicate ceasefire process in Gaza, by which Israeli hostages are released in stages and will also see the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The Palestinian health ministry said an Israeli drone strike in a village in the occupied West Bank killed at least 10 people on Wednesday, while the military said it had struck an "armed cell".

As Israel withdraws some of its troops from Gaza during a cease-fire there, it has turned attention to another Palestinian territory — in particular a city with a history of militant activity.

Israel says its increased military raids are aimed at combating rising Palestinian militant attacks against Israelis, including shootings. View on euronews

Israel continued its offensive in the occupied West Bank for the seventh day in a row on Tuesday, concentrating on the northern city of Jenin and continuing to expand to other areas. As part of the same offensive,