ISRAELI occupying forces withdrew troops from the West Bank today but warned that its most intense military operation in the occupied territory in nearly two decades could be repeated. 

Twelve Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed during the two-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp.

Palestinians emerged from their homes to find alleys lined by piles of rubble and flattened or scorched cars. Shopkeepers and bulldozers started clearing the debris. Thousands who had fled the fighting began returning.

Resident of the camp Kefah Dabayyah said that he and his family had returned Wednesday to find widespread destruction.

“Roads were destroyed and many houses were affected, glass from windows was everywhere,” he said. His home was not hit, but there is neither water, nor electricity or internet.

Ahead of the withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out similar operations if needed.

“At these moments we are completing the mission, and I can say that our extensive operation in Jenin is not a one-off,” he said during a visit to a military post on the outskirts of Jenin.

“We will eradicate terrorism wherever we see it and we will strike at it.”

The raid on Jenin was one of the most intense Israeli attacks ever in the occupied West Bank.

Some of the scenes from Jenin, including massive army bulldozers tearing through camp alleys, were eerily similar to those from a major Israeli incursion in 2002, which lasted for eight days and became known as the battle of Jenin.

Palestinian health officials said 12 Palestinians were killed in Jenin and more than 140 were wounded. 

Dr Wissam Bakr, the head of Jenin Hospital, said most of the wounded were shot in the head and chest, and that 20 suffered severe injuries.

The withdrawal came hours after a Hamas militant rammed his car into a crowded Tel Aviv bus stop and began stabbing people, wounding eight, including a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby.

The attacker was killed by an armed bystander. Hamas said the attack was revenge for the Israeli offensive.

Early Wednesday, militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza also fired five rockets toward Israel, which Israel said were intercepted. Israeli jets struck several sites in Gaza.

“At the end of day the refugee camp emerged victorious,” Mr Dabbayah said, calling it “a great victory for the people of Jenin.”