Israeli warplanes carried out at least two strikes on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt early on Wednesday, witnesses said.

The strikes were believed to target tunnels used for smuggling goods and weapons into the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

The bombardment sent residents in the Gaza town of Rafah fleeing their homes in panic. There was no immediate reports of any casualties.

The strikes have not yet been confirmed by the Israeli military.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2009)