Israeli army forces storm northern, southern Gaza

GAZA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli army ground force, backed by armored vehicles, stormed on Monday northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, while another force stormed an area southeast the enclave, Hamas security sources said.

The sources as well as witnesses in both areas said that the Israeli army forces' incursion was limited, adding the Israeli army forces carried out the two incursions amid intensive gunfire. No injuries were reported.

The sources said that the Israeli army forces had bulldozers that razed areas cultivated with trees east of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza Strip and southeast of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli army incursion into the two areas came a day after unknown Gaza militants fired two mortar shells at southern Israel.

The Israeli army has been carrying out short and limited incursions into areas close to the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip since the end of a large-scale war on Jan. 18, which lasted for 22 days on the Hamas-ruled enclave.

A status of anticipation has dominated the Gaza Strip on Monday after Israeli hawkish premier Benjamin Netanyahu threats to respond to homemade rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel.

Hamas armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement faxed to reporters that the Gaza Strip residents must be cautious following Netanyahu's threats. The group called on its militants to be alert and seriously consider these threats.