The Israeli army says it shot dead five Palestinian gunmen as they were preparing a major attack on the outskirts of Gaza City.
An army spokesperson said that troops opened fire on the gunmen at close range, but were unable to confirm they were dead because of the darkness.
Palestinian medics are also unable to confirm the deaths because the bodies have been left at the scene.
Earlier, the Islamic militant movement, Hamas, claimed that members of its military wing had surrounded an Israeli special forces unit close to the scene of the shootings.
Israel holds 30 militants in Jericho
Meanwhile, Israeli troops detained more than 30 suspected militants in Jericho today, accusing the Palestinian Authority of allowing the West Bank town to become a shelter for terrorists.
At least 20 jeeps and five tanks moved into Jericho at around 5am, with aerial cover provided by two helicopters.
They remained for around five hours. All entrances were sealed off while a curfew was imposed.
Sporadic gunfire could be heard throughout the morning as troops searched through houses, but only four injuries were reported.
