GAZA CITY, June 9: Israeli tanks and troops pushed into the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday and traded gunfire with members of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, the army and Hamas said.

An army spokesman confirmed an incursion by tanks and infantry units was under way east of the town of Rafah.

“The military came under fire. They retaliated, hitting an armed man,” the spokesman said, without elaborating.

Hamas in a statement confirmed the clash but made no mention of casualties.

The army detained dozens of Palestinians aged between 15 and 50 for questioning and identity checks, witnesses said.

Elsewhere, four armed Palestinians attacked the Kissufim crossing checkpoint between central Gaza and Israel, Palestinian security sources said.

The Islamic Jihad said on local radio that the attack was carried out by fighters of its Al-Quds Brigades armed wing.

On Monday, the Israeli army carried out an incursion deep into Palestinian territory, also at Rafah, in a one-day operation in which they questioned dozens of Palestinians and arrested four.—AFP