Hamas declares Israeli incursion a failure, Israel says there were no casualties to their forces

The terror group Hamas claims Israel's overnight ground incursion was a failure.

Hamas said in a statement Saturday that its military arm, Qassam Brigades, used anti-tank Kornet rockets and mortar shelling to repel the attack and claimed its fighters inflicted casualties among Israeli troops. The militant group did not provide evidence of its claims, the Associated Press reported.

Qassam Brigades said late Friday its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in the town of Beit Hanoun in northwestern Gaza and in Al-Bureij in central Gaza.

Meanwhile, Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, said it fired a barrage of rockets targeting Kissufim kibbutz in Israel, northwest of the Negev desert. 

A steady stream of rocket fire aimed at Israeli communities near the border with Gaza was reported Saturday morning, according to the Times of Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israeli forces including active infantry, armored, engineer and artillery participated in the ground operation overnight and are continuing to fight. He said there were no casualties to Israeli forces. 

"We continue to effort achieving our goals: dismantling Hamas, security of our borders and the national effort of the return of our hostages. All those together will be taking into consideration in assessing the situation," Hagari said. 

Regarding the expected invasion of Gaza, Hagari said, "we will receive the right operational decision when those goals are our compass."