The Israeli military has conducted new missile strikes in Gaza Strip, killing at least four Palestinian militants.
The Israeli army said a helicopter fired the missiles early Monday, when soldiers spotted a group of militants trying to launch a bomb attack on Israeli troops near the town of Beith Lahiya.
Palestinian witnesses identified the latest victims as Hamas militants.
Israeli ground troops backed by tanks also pushed into Jabaliya refugee camp while others opened a new front in Khan Younis.
Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed to expand the offensive in Gaza to stop militants from firing rockets into southern Israel.
United Nations Secretary-General Sunday Kofi Annan urged Israel to halt the military incursion and called on Palestinian leaders to help stop rocket attacks.