An Israeli armored column staged an incursion late Tuesday into Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, the sources said.

Shots were heard in the sector, the sources said, but there was no word on casualties.

Meanwhile a second Israeli army unit made a similar incursion into neighbouring Beit Hanoun where another exchange of fire ensued between armed Palestinians and Israeli troops, they said. Here too there were no reports of casualties.

The Israeli army said in a statement that 10 Palestinians linked to anti-Israeli attacks had been arrested during the operation.

A bomb exploded during the search for suspects and troops responded with gunfire without causing any casualties, the army added.

The Israeli army also said that four other wanted Palestinians had been picked up in the West Bank.

Nampa-AFP

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