Hassan Khalaf, an official at Shifa hospital in Gaza City said that about 20 Palestinians were killed on Saturday evening, after Israel launched ground invasion against Gaza Strip.
Khalaf said the 20 killed include both militants and civilians.
Residents in Gaza said that Palestinian militants are exchanging fire with Israeli troops in northern and eastern Gaza Strip, adding that Israeli tank and artillery are shelling different parts of Gaza, and the Israeli war planes continue carrying out air strikes
Residents also said that explosions can be heard constantly inside the strip, and after Israel's ground invasion started, the whole Gaza Strip has been plunged into a total black out.
Meanwhile, a local radio station affiliated with the Palestinian faction of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said that six Israeli soldiers have been killed and five Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Palestinian militants.
However, the Israeli army spokesperson has denied the report.
Israeli troops entered Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, launching ground invasion against the coastal enclave.
The Palestinian Hamas movement, which rules Gaza, said armed clashes and exchanges of fire were taking place in northern and eastern Gaza Strip between Israeli soldiers and Gaza militants.
The movement said in a statement sent to reporters that heavy and tough exchange of fire and armed clashes took place between Gaza militants and the invading Israeli army ground forces.
It said that fighters of al-Qassam Brigades, its armed wing, and fighters from other Palestinian factions are "confronting with the Israeli army ground forces, which entered into the Gaza Strip territory early on Saturday evening."
"The Israeli army forces are slowly entering into the area because of the heavy gunfire of the Palestinian resistance," Hamas said, adding "There are some Israeli soldiers are either killed or wounded."
No immediate confirmation was available from the Israeli army to confirm or deny Hamas reports on casualties among the Israeli soldiers. No injuries or fatalities were reported in the Palestinian side.
Hamas has earlier warned Israel on Saturday night of carrying out a large-scale military operation into the Gaza Strip that it has been ruling since June 2007.
Hamas armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement sent to reporters that "Al-Qassam Brigades declare that the Zionist enemy is getting close to the trap that our fighters had prepared for its soldiers and tanks."
The group added "the Zionist enemy would see surprises and would regret carrying out such an operation and will be a heavy price. Our militants are waiting with patience for confronting the soldiers face to face."
Israel's ground operation started following eight days of intensive air strikes on the 1.5 million population of the enclave, targeting buildings, including mosques, houses and Hamas security installations.
Source:Xinhua
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