Hamas said today it had captured two Israeli soldiers during fighting in the Gaza Strip.
"Two soldiers were captured," Hamas radio and television said.
But the Israeli army said it had no knowledge of any of its soldiers falling into Hamas's hands.
The capture of Israeli soldiers by Hamas could have a large impact on public support in Israel for the Gaza offensive, in which 470 Palestinians have been killed since December 27th.
Gaza militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid in June 2006. Negotiations brokered by Egypt to secure his release have foundered.