JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli forces made forays into northern and southern Gaza Tuesday morning in operations targeting Palestinian militants, killing up to six, according to Palestinian sources and the Israel Defense Forces.


Israeli tanks maneuver after an operation near the Suffa Crossing between Israel and Gaza Strip.

Israel carried out airstrikes against Qassam rocket launch sites in the north. IDF said the strikes killed two militants, while Palestinian security sources said one member of Islamic Jihad was killed.

In southern Gaza, Palestinian security sources said 30 Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered the territory early Tuesday morning and were conducting house-to-house searches after shutting down the main road between Rafah and Khan Yunis.

The IDF acknowledged having just 10 tanks about half a mile (a kilometer) inside the Sufa border crossing, saying its troops were on regular operational duty against the terror infrastructure in Gaza.

Four Islamic Jihad members were killed by Israeli fire, according to Palestinian security and medical sources. IDF said it fired on and hit three Palestinian militants, without elaborating.

In addition, the Palestinian sources said nine Palestinians were injured, including two journalists.

IDF also said that four Israeli soldiers were lightly injured when a rocket-propelled grenade hit their tank, near Khan Yunis