Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank have shot dead three Palestinians who the army alleged were on their way to carry out an attack.

Soldiers opened fire on Sunday on a vehicle and killed three passengers, an army statement said.

“A short time ago, a vehicle carrying a squad of terrorists from the Jenin refugee camp was identified while on its way to carry out an attack,” it said.

The dead included Naif Abu Tsuik, 26, who the army said was a “leading military operative” from the Jenin refugee camp.

The army said that he was “involved in military action against Israeli security forces and advancing military activity directed by terrorists in the Gaza Strip”, the coastal enclave controlled by the group Hamas.

According to the Quds News Network, the vehicle was hit with more than 100 bullets.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the security forces and said Israel “will continue to act against those who seek our lives anywhere and at any time”.

Hazem Qasem, a Hamas Gaza spokesman, said the deaths would not go unpunished.