Israeli tanks push deep into Gaza

Israeli military officials say two soldiers were wounded. Reports speak of 30 or more tanks being involved.

Gaza is run by the Hamas militant group which took over the territory in June after a violent struggle with Fatah.

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah says it is the largest military incursion of Gaza for months, coming exactly two weeks after the Annapolis meeting that heralded a new round of peace negotiations.

On Wednesday, Israel and a Fatah-led Palestinian delegation are to hold a first round of talks aimed at relaunching the peace process.

Since that meeting nearly 40 Palestinians, mainly militants, have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.

The incursion was launched not far from the Sufa crossing point into Gaza, an area regularly used by militants to launch rocket and mortar attacks at Israel.