The International Criminal Court (ICC) is concerned about the escalation of violence in the West Bank and the potential for war crimes there, said ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

"I note with great concern the escalation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in and around Gaza, and the possible commission of crimes under the Rome Statute", Bensouda wrote on Twitter.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas escalated on Wednesday, with at least 35 people killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intense aerial firefights in recent years.

In March, the ICC prosecutor announced a formal investigation into possible war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories.

Bensouda, who will be succeeded by British prosecutor Karim Khan on 16 June, said in December 2019 that war crimes were or were committed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. She named both the Israel Defense Forces and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas as possible culprits.