West Bank: New outbreak of violence in occupied West Bank could spiral out of control, UN human rights chief warned on Friday.

This week, at least 18 people have been killed in territory in incursions by Israeli military or attacks by Palestinians or Jewish settlers.

"These latest killings and violence, along with inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss," Volker Turk said in statement.

So far this year, more than 200 people have died in violence linked to Israeli-Palestinian conflict, vast majority of them Palestinians.

Deadly violence has flared in recent days in northern West Bank, stronghold of Palestinian armed groups where Israel has stepped up military operations.

Turk said this week's violence was being fuelled by strident political rhetoric and an escalation in use of advanced military weaponry by Israel.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said sharp deterioration was having terrible impact on both Palestinians and Israelis and called for an immediate end to violence.

He said international human rights law required Israeli authorities to ensure all operations are planned and implemented to prevent lethal force.

Every death caused in such context requires an effective investigation, he added.

"Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in occupied West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting right to life," Turk said.

"As occupying power, Israel also has obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure public order and safety within occupied Palestinian Territory."

Turk said underlying dynamics leading to violence and arbitrary loss of life needed to be addressed urgently and would require political will from Israel and Palestinians as well as international community. "For this violence to endthe occupation must end," he said.

"On all sides, people with political power know this and must instigate immediate steps to realise this."