The Hamas-led Palestinian government Tuesday condemned the Israeli military operation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as "a serious escalation and crime committed against the Palestinians", which left seven Palestinians dead.

In the West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli soldiers shot dead three Palestinian gunmen, wounded eight and arrested 16 others early Tuesday in ongoing operation, Palestinian medics and witness said.

The slain militants were identified as Tarek Zakaran from the Islamic Jihad (Holy War), Hani Saqqa and Osama Nemery from al- Aqssa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of Fatah movement.

Meanwhile, at least four Palestinians were killed and 16 others injured late Monday and early Tuesday as an Israeli elite undercover unit entered the northern Gaza Strip for the first time since Israeli pullout last September, Palestinian medics and security sources reported.

Three Islamic Jihad militants were killed in shootout with the Israeli troops in northern Gaza Strip on their way to launch homemade rockets at southern Israel, security sources said.

Israeli soldiers also arrested deputy secretary-general of the Hamas-led cabinet Aziz Kayed from his Ramallah home.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat also denounced the Israeli military escalation on Tuesday.

He told the local radio Voice of Palestine that "the dangerous escalation will only reinforce circle of violence, anarchy and bloodshed."

Source: Xinhua