Jenin and the wider West Bank face the threat of more violence amid the ceasefire in Gaza [File: AFP]

At least six Palestinians killed, 25 wounded in attack on the camp.

Ramallah, January 21 (RHC)-- At least six Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Jenin refugee camp in occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

Israeli army said earlier on Tuesday that soldiers, police and intelligence services launched what it called a counter-terrorism action, giving no further details.  Prior to the Israeli action, Palestinian Authority’s security forces had been conducting a weeks-long operation to reassert control of the city as well as the refugee camp.

Health officials said at least 25 other people were wounded by Israeli attacks on Tuesday.

Last week, an Israeli air strike last week on the refugee camp killed at least three Palestinians and wounded scores more.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to “eradicate terrorism.”   An Israeli military spokesperson said the ongoing operation was dubbed the “Iron Wall.”

Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub called the action “an invasion of the camp”, according to the AFP news agency.

“It came quickly,” he said. “Apache planes in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere.”

The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes only days after the start of a ceasefire in Gaza and underscores the threat of more violence in the occupied West Bank.

On Monday, Israeli settlers set vehicles and properties on fire under the protection of Israeli forces while also injuring at least 21 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank.

[ SOURCE:  AL JAZEERA and NEWS AGENCIES ]