Two Palestinian teenagers have been shot dead by the Israeli military near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said.

The Palestinian health ministry said the bodies of two 17-year-olds who were killed trying to infiltrate Israel on Saturday were recovered.

The Israeli military said it had shot towards two people who had tried to cross the border fence from Gaza.

The border area has been generally quiet since the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, but has seen an increase in violence after Donald Trump's announcement in December recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Show all 18 1 /18 Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli forces scuffle with Palestinians at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty Images Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester hurls stones as tear gas is fired by Israeli troops Reuters Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester runs during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli forces scuffle with Palestinians at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty Images Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters run during clashes REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and a Palestinian protesters clash REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters react to tear gas REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen hold on to a Palestinian protester REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and Palestinians scuffle after Friday prayers in Jerusalem's Old City REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester moves a burning tire during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Worshippers chant as they hold Palestinian flags after Friday prayers Reuters Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester hurls back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and a Palestinian youth scuffle REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen detain a Palestinian man REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester uses a sling to hurl stones towards Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Journalists react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops REUTERS

It comes as the Israeli military said it struck 18 targets in Gaza overnight, in response to an explosive device which wounded four soldiers along the border with the territory.

The military said its air strikes were part of its expanded response to the attack, in which two of the soldiers were severely wounded.

Israeli media said it was the highest number of Israelis wounded in a single incident since the 2014 Gaza war.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, described the attack as "severe," and said: "We will respond appropriately."

The military said the targets included weapon-manufacturing sites and training infrastructures of Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza.

Israeli fighter jet wreckage burns after being shot down following offensive against Syrian and Iranian targets

Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza, regardless of who carries them out. There were no reports of casualties in Gaza from the attacks.

The exchanges come amid rising warnings of a brewing humanitarian disaster in Gaza that Israel fears could spill over into violence.