- Al-Qassam Brigades say its 'fighters engaged an armored Israeli force' in ambush east of Khan Yunis city

- No Israeli response as of 1417GMT

ISTANBUL

The military wing of Hamas said on Sunday that it had destroyed an Israeli tank and two bulldozers in an ambush east of the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

In a brief statement viewed by Anadolu, the Palestinian resistance group's Al-Qassam Brigades said its "fighters engaged an armored Israeli force in a well-prepared ambush to the east of Khan Yunis, just moments after it crossed the border by a few meters."

"The fighters bravely engaged with the infiltrating force, destroyed two bulldozers and a tank, compelling the force to withdraw, and they returned to their bases safely," the statement further noted.

There were no official Israeli statements on the matter as of 1417GMT.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala