Israel has ordered its military to prepare for an "extended stay" in parts of the occupied West Bank as it steps up operations against Palestinian militant groups, the Israeli defence minister said on Sunday.

Ayman and Rimas were both ‘targeted’ with ‘lethal force by Israeli soldiers’, said a child rights organisation.

The United Nations has expressed growing concern about the ongoing Israeli military campaign in the northern West Bank. At least 51 Palestinians have been martyred, and 40,000 displaced. Additionally, Israeli occupation forces have caused extensive destruction to homes and infrastructure.

Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is delayed “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies."

The Israeli military launched a wide-scale operation last month against militants in several cities in the West Bank. Now, roughly 40,000 Palestinians have fled their homes — the highest since Israel occupied the territory nearly six decades ago,

A bus carrying a group of Palestinian prisoners released Saturday by Israel under the Gaza ceasefire deal arrived to a cheering crowd in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, according to an AFP journalist.

Buses carrying some of the hundreds of Palestinian freed prisoners and detainees, some flashing victory signs as they hung from the windows.