At least 30 Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles rolled on Saturday night into eastern Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, witnesses and security sources reported according to dpa. The witnesses said Israeli army vehicles first entered the area on Friday, and Israel then expanded its incursion with additional vehicles and helicopters on Saturday night. The vehicles were close to residents' houses, they said. The Israeli army told Israel Radio that the operation into northern Gaza Strip is aimed at preventing Palestinians from launching homemade rockets from the northern Gaza Strip into southern Israeli communities. The witnesses said the incursion was followed by intensive gunfire, while Apache attack helicopters hovered over Bit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.
