Israeli troops killed a Hamas militant in a clash in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Hamas sources said.
According to sources in Gaza, heavy exchanges of fire are taking place near Khan Younis, where the Hamas member was killed and a number of others were injured.
Additional clashes took place in northern Gaza, residents said.
Palestinian sources reported that an IDF force entered deep into Palestinian territory in what they said appeared to be the beginning of a full operation. Residents said Israeli tanks crossed into the territory after the clash.
An army spokeswoman said she was looking into the report.
Israeli forces frequently cross into Gaza to try to stop Islamist militants from firing rockets into Israel.
Reuters contributed to this report