Israel sends tanks into Gaza, say Palestinians

Israeli tanks have entered Palestinian areas of the Gaza Strip, Palestinians claim.

The reported moves come less than a day after Israel announced that it would observe a unilateral truce.

The Israeli army said it was unaware of entry of tanks into Palestinian areas, but is checking further.

Palestinian officials dismissed Israel's truce announcement as a public relations ploy.

Brigadier General Abdel Razek Majaida, the Palestinian police chief in Gaza, said: "The Israeli declaration of a ceasefire is a big lie. The shelling incident and the incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas since this morning reflect the lies of this government."

Brig Majaida said tanks drove into Palestinian areas at three points in northern and central Gaza and also opened fire on a Palestinian police post south of Gaza City. The chief said the fire was unprovoked.

Overnight, Palestinian gunmen fired on Israeli army outposts in eight locations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and troops returned fire in every case.

The Israeli defence minister said last night, that as part of the attempted truce, the army would no longer initiate military actions and only shoot in life-threatening situations.