Israel carried out an air strike in the occupied West Bank as its large-scale military operation entered a third day, with both sides reporting at least 16 Palestinians killed, AFP reports.

The United Nations has warned the military operation which Israel launched in the West Bank early on Wednesday is “fuelling an already explosive situation” in the territory and has pressed Israel to end it.

The military said one of its “aircraft struck a terrorist cell” near the city of Jenin. It did not immediately give further details.

An AFP journalist reported loud explosions from the city’s refugee camp and thick plumes of smoke rising from the area.

Israeli troops pulled back from other West Bank towns late on Thursday but fighting raged on around Jenin, long a hub of militant activity.