Fierce clashes erupted early Friday between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians militants near the border line between Israel and Gaza, Islamic Hamas movement said.
Clashes are taking place in Biet Hanoun and Biet Lahiya towns in the northern Gaza Strip, a military source in Hamas told Xinhua.
Witnesses said shots of machine guns can be heard in the eastern parts of the towns adding that Israeli troops have fired dozens of projectiles at Palestinian militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered on Thursday a ground operatiin the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after 11 days of airstrikes to end rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.
Netanyahu's decision came after Egyptian and international efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza have failed.
Hamas warned that Israel would pay a heavy price for commencing a ground offensive on Gaza.
On July 8, Israel started an all-out aerial operation dubbed "Protective Edge" to stop rocket fire from Gaza.
The operation has so far killed 246 Palestinians and injured more than 1,850 others.
GMT 08:21 2017 Saturday ,09 December
Gaza rocket hits Israeli town: armyGMT 16:31 2017 Friday ,03 November
Death toll rises to 12 in Gaza tunnel Israel blew upGMT 09:38 2017 Tuesday ,19 September
Hamas militant dies in Gaza tunnel incidentGMT 18:23 2017 Sunday ,30 July
Palestinian president Abbas leaves hospital after ‘routine checkup’GMT 18:00 2017 Sunday ,30 July
Gates to al-Aqsa Mosque reopen with no age restrictionsGMT 15:05 2017 Tuesday ,18 July
Palestinian car-ramming attacker shot deadGMT 07:58 2017 Saturday ,15 July
UN chief fears Jerusalem attack could igniteGMT 09:39 2017 Wednesday ,12 July
2 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli armyMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©