Israel's large-scale military operation Wednesday in the occupied West Bank "risks seriously deepening the already catastrophic situation" in the Palestinian territory, the United Nations said.
"Israel, as the occupying power, must abide by its obligations under international law," UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
At least nine Palestinians were killed on Wednesday, Palestinian authorities said, as Israeli forces raided the flashpoint cities of Jenin and Tulkarm as well as other areas in the occupied West Bank in a major operation involving helicopters and drones. The assault, one of the largest seen in the West Bank for months, followed a series of smaller raids in the area over recent weeks as Israeli forces sought to crush groups of fighters from Palestinian militant groups.