Israel says Hamas leader killed as West Bank operation continues

The Israeli military says it has killed the head of the Palestinian armed group Hamas in Jenin and two other fighters, as a major operation continues for a third day in the north of the occupied West Bank.

Israeli security forces "encountered and eliminated" Wissam Khazem in a vehicle and then carried out air strikes on “two additional terrorists while they attempted to flee”, a statement said.

The Palestinian health ministry said the three men were killed overnight near the town of Zababdeh, south-east of Jenin.

Palestinian media also reported that Israeli forces had withdrawn from Tulkarm after causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructure in the city's refugee camps.