Tel Aviv - Israeli troops left the Gaza Strip early Wednesday, hours after entering it in the most serious clash between the Israel Defence Force and Palestinian militants since a ceasefire went into effect June 19. A military spokeswoman in Tel Aviv said the troops went into the Strip late Tuesday to destroy a 250-metre tunnel being dug under the border, which, she said, was being prepared to aid in the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.
The operation was a "pinpoint" one, she said, to destroy an "immediate threat."
Unconfirmed Palestinian reports said at least five Hamas militants were killed in the Israeli operation, and the military spokeswoman said four soldiers were wounded.
Gazan militants responded to the Israeli operation by launching at least 35 missiles toward southern Israel Wednesday morning, the military spokeswoman said.
