Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. Israeli Tanks Invade Northern Gaza, Airstrikes Kill 6 Palestinians ------------------------------------------------------------------ http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=130FE52:3919ACA Ground forces, escorted by helicopters firing machine guns, crossed the border early Sunday near the town of Beit Hanoun In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops have killed five Palestinian militants and one civilian during new military operations. Israeli armored vehicles carrying soldiers from Golani Brigades leaveĀ  northern Gaza Strip to a base near Kibbutz Zikim, Israel (file photo)Palestinian witnesses say several others were injured in the strikes, after Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers crossed into northern Gaza Sunday. An Israeli airstrike also hit a vehicle carrying militants in the town of Beit Hanoun, but witnesses said the men were unharmed. Israel's military ordered troops to return to Gaza in an effort to stop Palestinian missile attacks and retrieve a kidnapped Israeli soldier. Israel started its offensive in Gaza on June 28, three days after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier and killed two others. Israel said it intends to secure the release of the captured soldier and stop Palestinian rocket fire. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. .