Israeli tanks and troops entered the town of Rafah in southern Gaza

An Egyptian official told the agency that it appeared to be a limited-scale operation, and that Israeli officials had informed Egypt that troops would withdraw after the operation was over.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the allegations, and the AP could not independently determine the scope of the operation.

The information comes a day after Israel ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 Palestinians from East Rafah to a "safe zone" near the city of Khan Yunis.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said earlier that they were carrying out "targeted strikes" against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the eastern Rafah, and the Palestinian Authority said at least five people were killed in heavy airstrikes.

The Israeli war cabinet yesterday decided to carry out the planned operation in Rafah in order to "exert military pressure on Hamas", despite Hamas's earlier statement that the Palestinian group had agreed to the Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire.

The Israeli cabinet announced that the aim of the "operation" in Rafah is to achieve progress in the release of hostages, as well as other war goals.