An Israeli air strike killed five Palestinians and wounded two others in the occupied West Bank, medics said, and the military claimed the target as a hideout for gunmen planning imminent attacks.

The Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service described the casualties from the night-time strike on Balata, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, as including five men whose ages ranged from 19 to 25.

At least 186 West Bank Palestinians, including 51 children, have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, according to UN. Another eight have been killed by Israeli settlers, while four Israelis have been killed by Palestinians, according to the figures.