Gaza City: Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen are exchanging heavy fire in northern Gaza. Medics said one Palestinian has been killed.
The clashes began before dawn today when an Israeli undercover force entered a border area.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants fired at the force. They used machine guns, mortars and homemade bombs.
Israel sent in dozens of tanks, and aircraft provided cover. Medics said the aircraft have launched five missile strikes since before dawn. One Palestinian was killed and seven wounded in the strikes. Three of the wounded are in critical condition.
The sound of explosions can be heard across northern Gaza.
