Israeli tanks 'enter Gaza camp'

Previous Israeli incursions in Rafah have met stiff resistance

Palestinian officials say a 19-year-old man has been killed after Israeli tanks entered the Rafah refugee camp.

Witnesses said Israeli soldiers were using the rooftops of three buildings as sharpshooting positions.

There are reports of heavy exchanges of gunfire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen.

The Israeli military told AP a limited operation is underway aimed at the system of tunnels it says are used to smuggle weapons from Egypt.

Israel has previously targeted Rafah to disrupt alleged attempts by Palestinians to smuggle weapons and explosives across the border.

The Israeli army has also destroyed dozens of Palestinian homes it says are used as cover for militants firing on its troops and for hiding tunnel entrances, leaving hundreds homeless.

Palestinian medical officials named the dead man as Mohammed Abed. It is not clear whether he was a militant or a civilian.