Gaza City  - Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians during an early morning raid carried out in the south-east Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said on Saturday.

The witnesses said that at least seven tanks and four bulldozers rolled into the eastern territories of Rafah city after midnight and withdrew early in the morning.

During the incursion, Israeli helicopters provided air cover to the bulldozers which levelled a number of fields and destroyed at least three chicken farms, according to residents.

The Israeli soldiers broke into some houses, searched them and arrested 10 residents, the security sources said.

Clashes erupted between Palestinian fighters and the Israeli troops. There was no word on casualties.

Meanwhile, an armed Palestinian group claimed responsibility for firing a homemade rocket into southern Israel.

The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the attack targeted Sderot city in response to the Israeli army operations.

The incursion took place about 1 kilometre to the east of the Rafah crossing point which Egypt opens from time to time as part of its efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip in June after routing the security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Isreal has reacted by imposing an almost full blockade on the impoverished territory. (dpa)