Israeli Special Forces infiltrated southeast Gaza Strip on Wednesday, drawing clashes with Palestinian militants, witnesses and security sources said.
The witnesses said up to 40 Israeli soldiers, backed by three tanks and reconnaissance aircraft, entered east Khan Younis city in southern Gaza Strip.
The forces got in through the security fence that separates the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Israel, they said.
Meanwhile, security sources said clashes erupted between Palestinian fighters, who watch the border, and the invading force.
He added that a group of militants were besieged by the Israeli troops, voicing fears of fatalities.
Hamas, which has been controlling the Gaza Strip since June last year, struck a six-month ceasefire with Israel in June. The Egyptian-brokered truce became shaky last week following a series of Israeli air strikes against the Gaza Strip that killed six Hamas militants.
The Israeli strikes drew Palestinian rocket attacks into Israeli border towns in retaliation. This week, the violence started abating.
Also in the day, Hamas militant group rejected outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's warnings that his army is prepared for an unavoidable confrontation with Hamas.
"These statements are the commodities of the bankrupts who will quit soon," said Abu Obaida, spokesman for Izzideen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.
Olmert, who is a caretaker prime minister until parliamentary elections scheduled in February mae the statements when he toured Israeli communities near the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
For Hamas, Olmert's statements were sort of "personal propaganda," said Abu Obaida, adding that the Palestinian resistance "is preparing for the coming confrontation with the occupation."
"We don't have any choice but to confront, face and resist the occupation despite the poor capabilities we have," Abu Obaida added.
Source: Xinhua
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