Israel has launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with its troops entering the south of the long-blockaded coastal sliver.

Israeli tanks and bulldozers advanced about 500 meters into the east of the southern city of Khan Yunis on Wednesday, the Press TV correspondent in Gaza reported.

Late in March, Israeli forces crossed into the southern Qarara region and then invaded Dair al-Balah in central Gaza.

This was days after Israeli armored vehicles crossed into an area near the southern town of Khan Yunis, leaving one Palestinian dead and several others wounded.

Israeli forces have carried out numerous incursions into Gaza since Tel Aviv’s 22-day war on the strip at the turn of 2009.

The so-called Operation Cast Lead devastated much of the infrastructure in the impoverished Palestinian enclave, killing more than 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians.

(Press TV)