Two Palestinians were killed in Jenin, in the northern West Bank, in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, according to Palestinian reports on Thursday. The Israeli army meanwhile said that one soldier was killed and another seriously injured during an operation in the city.

As Israel withdraws some of its troops from Gaza during a cease-fire there, it has turned attention to another Palestinian territory — in particular a city with a history of militant activity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the assault on Jenin would be “extensive and significant,” as the military erected new checkpoints across the West Bank.