Israeli forces have killed two Palestinian militants in the West Bank wanted for a shooting attack on police.

The two men were killed in a gun battle with Israeli forces in the heart of the city of Nablus.

The IDF said it entered Nablus to arrest two individuals wanted over a shooting earlier this month at Israeli police in a West Bank settlement that resulted in no casualties.

IDF troops entered Nablus earlier on Friday and surrounded a house in the Old City, a stronghold of armed Palestinian groups, before calling on those inside to turn themselves in.

An army spokesman added: “During the activity, weapons which were used by the terrorists were confiscated.”

Nablus

Two were killed (Photo: Flash90)

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised Friday's operation and said Israel would continue to act to root out militants.

He said: "There will be no loop that isn't closed and there won't be a terrorist who doesn't pay the heaviest price.”

The Israeli army reported "no injuries" among its forces. The Palestinian health ministry in a statement identified the two dead as Khairi Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Maqbul, 32.

The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed Shaheen and Maqbul as its members.

It comes just days after Israel concluded a major two-day offensive meant to crack down on militants.