Gaza, Aug 11 (Xinhua) The Israeli Army backed by armoured vehicles raided several places in northern and southern Gaza Monday in a bid to stop the latest rocket attacks by militants from these areas, Hamas security sources said.

Eyewitnesses said there was intensive gunfire during the operation. No one was hurt.

Sources said the Israeli soldiers also used bulldozers to remove trees near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza and in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

The operation came a day after militants in the coastal strip fired two mortar shells at southern Israel.

The Israeli army has been carrying out short and limited incursions into areas close to the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip since the end of a 22-day war on the Hamas-ruled enclave Jan 18.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday threatened the militants of strict action if the rocket attacks on Israel are not stopped.

The al-Qassam Brigade, Hamas' armed faction, said in a statement to reporters that the Gaza residents have been cautioned after Netanyahu's warning. The group called on its militants to be alert and seriously consider these threats.