The Israeli military has deployed several tanks and bulldozers to the Gaza Strip, launching a new incursion against the Hamas movement.

Ten tanks and two bulldozers entered one kilometer (0.6 miles) into Gaza, west of the Bureij refugee camp, drawing heavy fire from Palestinian fighters, Palestinian security sources said Friday.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed forces were operating in Gaza and had come under gun and mortar fire.

The incursion comes after two Hamas activists were killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza late on Thursday.

The Israeli prime minister had earlier hinted that the regime is preparing for a large scale military incursion into the costal strip.

SB/RE