Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in separate clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, an Israeli military spokesperson said.

Two of the dead were gunmen who opened fire on Israeli soldiers guarding the border fence between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip Friday night. The force crossed the border and returned fire, hitting the two gunmen.

A few hours earlier, an Israeli force killed two Palestinians and wounded a third in a fierce gunfight in the West Bank.

The force - a joint unit consisting of soldiers and border police - were on a "search and arrest" raid for wanted Palestinians north east of Tulkarem, when Palestinian gunmen opened fire on them.

Two Palestinians were killed and two were wounded in the ensuing gun battle.

The military spokesperson said she could not confirm whether one of the Palestinians was killed by the Israelis or whether he had been caught in the crossfire.