Gaza  - Several Israeli army tanks and bulldozers stormed before dawn on Thursday the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, killing one Palestinian militant, medics and witnesses reported.

The witnesses said the Israeli army forces rolled into the northern area of the town amid intensive gunfire, adding militants confronted the Israeli forces and clashed with the soldiers.

Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry said that one Palestinian was killed and three wounded by Israeli troops' gunfire.

An Israeli army spokesman told Israeli Radio Arabic service that that there is no time limit for the operation in Beit Hanoun, which aims at preventing firing homemade rockets from the area at Israel.

The residents said that around 20 tanks, armoured vehicles and bulldozers backed by helicopters stormed al-Sekka neighbourhood in the town, and are still operating in the area.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Islamic Hamas movement's armed wing said its militants confronted the Israeli army forces with RBG missiles and mortar shells. No injuries were reported among the soldiers.

Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, Israeli warplanes struck a house west of the town, adding that the missile was basically fired at a group of militants, but the rocket missed them and hit the house causing severe damage. (dpa)