JENIN, West Bank, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinian militants were killed on Thursday morning in exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to an official Palestinian statement.

Masked Palestinians burn tires during clashes with Israeli security forces following the funeral of Mufid Khalil in the West Bank village of Beit Ummar, near Hebron, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (Photo: AP)

The statement didn't give more details. But local and security sources said that an Israeli army force stormed the city's main square, attacked a Palestinian vehicle and killed three Palestinian militants -- Tariq al-Damej, Sidqi Zakarneh and Atta Shalabi.

Following the incident, heavy exchange of fire broke out between dozens of Palestinian militants and the Israeli soldiers, the sources said, adding that a Palestinian militant was critically wounded.

Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that a special Israeli army force carried out a military operation aimed at arresting Palestinians wanted by the Israeli security forces for being involved in attacks against Israel.

The Palestinian factions in the city declared a day of grief in protest against the killing of the three Palestinian militants.

Official figures show that since January, 213 Palestinians have been killed, including 50 in the Gaza Strip. Most of the Palestinians were killed in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin and Nablus.