Israeli navy commandos launched a ground operation overnight in the north of the Gaza Strip, the first since the offensive against Hamas began, Israeli public radio said early Sunday.

The brief incursion targeted a rocket launcher site, it said. The armed branch of Hamas confirmed that Israeli commandos had exchanged gunfire with some Palestinian fighters.

A military spokesman later said four Israeli soldiers had been lightly wounded during the operation.

-NDTV

• Government allocates Rs. 35 Mn for the development of temples in the Northern Province
• Education Ministry wants to re-open schools on 15th March; seeks DGHS permission
• Sri Lankan Catholics mark ‘Black Sunday’, demanding justice for terror attack victims
• 01st batch of vaccines from COVAX program delivered to Sri Lanka
• SL & Indian Navy and SL Air Force combine to conduct air observer training