Israeli tanks moved into a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip after mortar shells were fired at Jewish settlements and Israeli forces were fired on.
Hospital officials said one Palestinian man was killed and 13 people were wounded by bullets and tank shells.
Palestinian security chief Maj Gen Abdel Razek Majaidie said the Israeli tanks, along with armoured personnel carriers and a bulldozer, entered the Khan Younis refugee camp from two directions early today, advancing about 800 yards into Palestinian-controlled territory.
Bulldozers destroyed two buildings on the west side of the camp facing Israeli settlements, witnesses said, before pulling back. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Maj Gen Majaidie said the Israeli incursions "terrorise women and children" and "sabotage efforts to calm the area".
Palestinian television also reported Israeli tanks advanced further into the West Bank town of Tulkarem, one of two towns Israel is holding.
After the October 17th assassination of an Israeli cabinet minister by Palestinian militants, Israeli forces moved into parts of six West Bank towns, arresting dozens of suspected militants.
They withdrew from four but retained control of parts of Tulkarem and Jenin in the northern part of the West Bank, saying there were warnings that militants from the towns were planning attacks on Israel.
AP