Israel launched a large military offensive in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, attacking at least three cities from land and air.

Israeli air strikes hit Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas as troops opened fire at Palestinians on the ground.

At least nine Palestinians were killed in the Israel air strikes and from gunfire, according to an initial estimate by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

The assault began just after midnight local time (09:00 PM GMT) after undercover Israeli soldiers entered the Jenin refugee camp and the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm.

Large Israeli forces then raided the two cities and surrounded hospitals, preventing paramedics from reaching them, according to PRCS

Israeli paratroopers parachuted into Tubas and led the assault there, particularly in the Far’a refugee camp, according to Israeli Channel 14

A siege has been imposed on the three cities - Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas - in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli military said it was carrying out a large “counter-terror” operation in Jenin and Tulkarm without elaborating further.

According to Israeli media, a military division is involved in the offensive, including ground troops and the air force.

The assault is the largest conducted by the Israeli military since the 2002 “Defensive Shield” attack at the height of the Second Intifada, according to Israeli Kan News public broadcaster.

Palestinian armed groups in the targeted West Bank cities, including the local chapters of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, said their members were confronting Israeli troops in fire exchanges and using explosive devices