Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinians in northern Gaza Strip Sunday morning while the army continued its offensives, witnesses said.

Not far away from the border town of Beit Hanoun, where the Israeli army has been operating, the army fired a missile at a group of Palestinians militants, killing one and moderately wounding another, witnesses said.

The dead, 23-year-old Mohammed al-Hamadin, is a member of the Fatah's armed wing, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah sources said.

Meanwhile, Israeli soldier gunned down a Palestinian civilian after they released him at Erez crossing point in northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian media said.

Mazen Shabat, 21, was arrested in the ongoing military operation in Beit Hanoun and taken to an Israeli army base near Erez where he was interrogated. Afterwards, an Israeli sniper shot at him after Shabat was permitted to leave.

So far, 48 Palestinians have been killed and 220 others wounded in the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, hospital sources said.

Israeli tanks have tightened blockade on Beit Hanoun for the fifth day, cutting access in and out of the border town, where Palestinian militants often fire homemade rockets at nearby Israeli communities.

Palestinian militant groups said on Sunday that they have launched some 20 homemade rockets and mortar shells at several Israeli targets close to the Gaza Strip.

Israel has seemed to be expanding its operation as up to 15 tanks rolled into northwestern Gaza Strip and took up positions there.

Residents in Beit Lahya said that the tanks rolled into the town amid intensive fire. There was no report on casualty.

Source: Xinhua