Israeli tanks move into Gaza

A small number of Israeli tanks edged into the northern Gaza Strip today, taking up positions near the border fence, the army said.

Military officials said the activity was “not out of the ordinary,” and there were no signs that the tanks planned to attack.

The officials declined to discuss the purpose of the operation, but in recent months, the army has periodically moved several hundred yards into Gaza to search for bombs placed along the border.

Israel yesterday decided against a large-scale military operation in Gaza after repeated rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Instead, officials authorised small, pinpoint operations to halt the rocket fire.