A one-month-old baby girl has been killed in crossfire after Israeli forces re-entered Gaza, Palestinian officials have said.

A senior Islamic Jihad fighter also died after soldiers in 25 armoured vehicles entered the territory on Tuesday night and clashed with Palestinian fighters before pulling back about two hours later.

Several Islamic Jihad fighters were also arrested in the operation.

The clashes come just a day after Israel ended a six-day ground operation in Gaza which left at least 120 Palestinians dead.

Israeli defence officials said it was a "pinpoint'" operation aimed at fighters but medics said the baby was killed in the crossfire and at least eight fighters and three civilians were wounded.

The armoured column entered Gaza through the Kissufim crossing. Witnesses said that, during the clashes, Israeli tanks fired shells and helicopters fired missiles.

PHOTO CAPTION 

Israeli tanks cross to the southern Gaza Strip at the Israeli-Gaza border.

Al-Jazeera