RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- US helicopters flew across the West Bank on Monday ahead of President Barack Obama's visit later this week.

Three batches of helicopters arrived at the presidential heliport in Ramallah and the Abu Ammar heliport in Bethlehem, before heading toward Jordan.

Palestinian security sources told Ma'an the helicopters were sent ahead of Obama's visit for security purposes, but they declined to provide further details.

Obama will arrive in Israel on Wednesday. He is expected to meet President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday, and to visit the Nativity Church in Bethlehem on Friday, before heading to Jordan.