Israeli and Palestinian forces on Thursday sought to track down the gunmen who wounded two Israelis in the second attack in 24 hours in the occupied West Bank ahead of the start of peace talks.

An Israeli military official hailed the cooperation with the Palestinian security forces which he said was at its highest level since the 1993 Oslo accords launched the Middle East peace process.

“They are arresting hundreds of terrorists,” the official said, asking not to be named.

Israeli security forces set up checkpoints along major roads in the West Bank.

The overnight attack near Ramallah and another on Tuesday which killed four Israeli settlers were claimed by Hamas, which is vehemently opposed to the peace negotiations.

It took place just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas were due to formally restart peace negotiations that were halted 20 months ago.