Gaza City - Armed clashes broke out in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday after Israeli tanks entered a refugee camp and demolished at least two houses, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said.
At least five tanks and two bulldozers staged an incursion 150m inside the southern section of the giant Rafah refugee camp which has been the site of major clashes in recent weeks.
Security sources said that two houses had been completely destroyed while locals put the figure at five.
Gunmen from the three major Palestinian armed factions Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades were involved in gun battles with Israeli forces but there was no immediate news of any casualties, the sources said.
There was no response from the Israeli military.
A massive raid on the camp on December 23, which the Israelis said targeted tunnels used to smuggle weapons underneath the border with Egypt, left nine people dead and prompted criticism from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.