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.

Israel sends tanks into occupied West Bank for first time in 20 years - Israeli forces destroy public infrastructure as defence minister says tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians will not be al

Israel is gearing up for an “intensive” operation in the occupied West Bank after bombs detonated on three empty buses in a central Israel parking depot. Israeli security services say the bombings on Thursday evening, which caused no casualties, were the work of armed groups, according to Israeli media.

Investigation is under way as Israel ramps up raids in the West Bank following the blasts that caused no casualties.

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that 40,000 Palestinian residents displaced from militant hotbeds would not be allowed to return to their homes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israel’s military to conduct an operation in the occupied West Bank after three empty buses exploded in a suspected terror attack near Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he has instructed the military to prepare to remain in some of the occupied West

Israel is delaying the release of Palestinian detainees and prisoners, disrupting the Gaza ceasefire deal, and its military is intensifying an offensive in the occupied West Bank

The country also called for the UN Relief and Works Agency to be allowed to continue its work in the region and noted that the UN International Court of Justice has ruled that the Israeli presence in the Palestinian territories is illegal.

Israel has vowed to intensify “anti-terror” activity in the West Bank after three buses exploded in a suspected terror attack on Thursday night in the Israeli city of Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv.