Four militants from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group have been killed in an Israeli military operation in the West Bank.

The PIJ, active in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, said the four men were members of its organisation.

According to the ministry of health in Ramallah, the four men were between 20 and 24 years old.

The Israeli military confirmed that it conducted an operation in Tulkarm, in the north-east of the West Bank.

It said an army aircraft “struck a terrorist cell in the Nur Shams area” which was allegedly planting an explosive roadside device.

Residents said a drone carried out the Israeli attack.

Israeli media reported that the attack took place around 100 metres away from the site of an incident on Monday, which saw an Israeli soldier killed by a roadside bomb.

Armed groups in the West Bank often hide explosive devices along roads to attack Israeli forces.

The situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the start of the current conflict in Gaza.

The current conflict emerged following the unprecedented October 7 attacks led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Ministry of Health in Ramallah says 538 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, clashes and Palestinian attacks.

The ministry added that violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the region has also increased.

The PIJ participated in the October 7 attacks and its members took some hostages.

While it has repeatedly fired rockets at Israel from Gaza, it is considered much less powerful than Hamas.

Both groups are classified as terrorist organisations by the European Union and the United States.

(NAN)