Gaza Strip ? Israeli troops backed by tanks and bulldozers crossed into southern Gaza to strike at Palestinian militants Thursday, killing 10, a day after Israeli leaders ruled out a large-scale offensive to stop daily rocket salvos from Gaza.

The battle began in the morning and continued for several hours near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Israel said troops inside Gaza on a “routine” mission opened fire at a group of militants who approached them, sparking an exchange of fire. Four militants were killed. Gaza’s Hamas rulers said militants were targeted either by an Israeli tank shell or missile fire. Dr. Moaiya Hassanain of the Palestinian Health Ministry reported shrapnel wounds consistent with shell fire.

Later in the day, Palestinian militants said fighters in a tractor and jeep crashed through the fence on the Gaza-Israel border and attacked an Israeli army post.

The military said the militants were trying to attack a base but were repulsed. Israeli aircraft struck two cars in the area, the army said, apparently the ones that tried to attack the base. Six militants were killed in that encounter, both sides said.