"Three members of the police force were killed this morning in a shooting attack," Ouzi Levy, chief of the Israeli police in the West Bank, told reporters at the scene of the attack near the Tarqumiya checkpoint near the city of Hebron.

Israel's medical emergency service, Magen David Adom, earlier had announced the death of the three, two men and a woman.

"This was a very severe attack. We saw a vehicle with bullet marks on a mound beside the road," the emergency service said in a statement quoting two of its paramedics who had rushed to the scene.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also visited the scene of the attack and called for more checkpoints be set up in the area.

"Right to life (of Israelis) is more important than freedom of movement of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents," he told journalists.

"Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head.", the extremist minister said.

Sunday's shooting comes as Israeli forces pressed on with a widespread operation in the West Bank since Wednesday.

Explosions and gunfire were heard in Jenin city on Sunday, an AFP photographer reported, as Israeli forces continued to operate there.

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed since simultaneous raids were launched on Wednesday across the northern West Bank, including 14 fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.

Since Friday, soldiers have concentrated operations on Jenin and its refugee camp.

Around 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers since October 7, according to the United Nations.