Israeli tanks and troops penetrate into southern Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning and seized the open areas east of the border town of Rafah, Army Radio reported.

Citing defense sources, the radio said that the army entered one kilometer into Gaza in the first stage of the operation dubbed "Summer Rain" in a bid to hasten the release of a soldier abducted by Palestinian militants on Sunday.

Israeli tanks and armored vehicles were deployed in the open areas east of the border town of Rafah and the disused international airport at Dahaniyeh, Gaza's only airport, said the report.

The operation was launched after two days of unfruitful international mediation over the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in an attack on a military position near the Gaza border Sunday morning.

Israeli National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer clarified on Wednesday morning that the purpose of the military action was not to reoccupy the Gaza Strip.

"We have no desire to remain in the Gaza Strip," Ben-Eliezer was quoted as saying. "We want to bring our boy home, that's all."

Prior to the ground incursion, one Israeli aircraft raided three bridges in central Gaza Strip late Tuesday night. An army officer said the attack was meant to prevent militants from transporting Shalit within Gaza.

The aircraft also attacked a power station in Gaza City after midnight Tuesday, cutting power to much of the area, according to Palestinian security officials.

Source: Xinhua