Israeli army launched an airstrike targeting a factory believed to manufacture weapons near the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis on late Wednesday, Palestinian witnesses said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army confirmed the strike, saying it targeted a factory used by Palestinian militants to make and store weapons.

The witnesses said at least two missiles were fired at the building.

There was no report of any casualties.

The late night air raid came as Israeli troops entered the southern Gaza Strip early Wednesday in their first major ground operation in Gaza from which Israel pulled out soldiers and settlers last summer after 38 years of occupation.

The Israeli army is preparing to widen the operation and troops were posed to enter the northern Gaza Strip.

The massive Israeli offensive is aimed to free an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants during a cross-border raid on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua