Palestinian residents in Gaza said the Israeli military, apparently responding to rocket attacks, arrested several gunmen and killed at least two people.

The Israeli operation marks the first time in several weeks its military entered Palestinian territory and The Jerusalem Post reported operations focused more on Islamic Jihad elements rather than Hamas.

Meanwhile, two people incurred mild injuries when two mortar shells hit the town of Ashkelon, the target of a barrage of artillery from militants operating in Gaza.

The Israeli military also killed several militants in an operation near the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza, Ynetnews reported.