Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that the military should use its “full strength” to strike at Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank, where a sweeping military operation has killed dozens, AFP reports.

“In the face of the resurgence of terrorism, we are eradicating terrorist organisations throughout Judea and Samaria (occupied West Bank),” Gallant said in a statement issued by the defence ministry.

“These terrorist organisations that have various names, whether in Nur al-Shams, Tulkarem, Faraa or Jenin, must be wiped out,” he said, referring to cities and refugee camps where an Israeli military operation is currently underway.

“Every terrorist must be eliminated, and if they surrender, they must be arrested. There is no other option, use all the forces, everyone who is needed, with full strength.”

Gallant, speaking after meeting officers to assess the operation, compared the campaign against the militants to “mowing” a lawn. “Essentially, we are mowing the grass, but the time will come when we will also uproot the roots, and that must be done,” he said.