Israel's army said an exchange of fire erupted on Monday during an operation in the Gaza Strip, while Palestinian officials reported six people killed, including a local commander of Hamas's armed wing.
"During (Israeli military) operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved. More details to follow," an Israeli army statement said.
Palestinian security sources said the clash occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Further details were not immediately available.
Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said six Palestinians were killed. One of the dead was a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a local hospital reported.
After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel, indicating possible rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said all Israeli soldiers involved had returned to Israel.
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"IDF operated in the Gaza Strip, exchange of gunfire ensued," he wrote on Twitter, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.
"All IDF soldiers back in Israel. Several alarms have sounded in southern Israel." A Hamas spokesman denounced a "cowardly Israeli attack.