Israeli planes and troops on the ground launched an attack on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said in a brief message.

Residents of northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, said they had seen no sign of ground troops inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes.

The Israeli army spokesman later confirmed that the ground forces are only participating in the bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Local media in Gaza reported over 450 Israeli strikes in the Northern part of the Strip. More than 50 injuries have reached Beit Hanoun Hospital, as a result of the targeting of al-Baali area.