GAZA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces entered parts in northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday as Palestinian militant groups warned that Israel will loose if it launches ground offensive into the territories.

    Witnesses said that the troops, backed by tanks and bulldozers, rolled 500 meters into the Palestinian territories in northern Gaza Strip border town of Beit Lahiya.

    The Israeli army, which local residents said took positions in empty settlements, denied it was staging an operation in the northern Gaza Strip area, a ground used by Palestinian militants to fire rockets into Israel.

    In another incident, Israeli soldiers positioned outside the fence in eastern Gaza opened fire and wounded an old Palestinian man in his legs, paramedic said.

    Meanwhile, the Palestinian armed factions said they were ready to face any Israeli incursion or military operation against Gaza.

    In a joint statement sent to the press, the military wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) vowed to continue rocket attacks into Israel.