Israeli F16 war jets struck on Thursday afternoon the borderline area between southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and Egypt, no injuries reported, witnesses in the town said.

Residents said F16 warplanes struck the borderline area, apparently targeting underground tunnels which were used for smuggling goods from Egypt into the Gaza Strip.

Hamas security sources in Gaza said the Israeli warplanes carried out three separate airstrikes on the borderline area between Rafah and Egypt. Several tunnels were damaged.

The Israeli airstrikes on the tunnels area came shortly after Palestinian militants fired two homemade rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel. According to Israel's Radio, no injuries were reported.

The airstrikes were carried out as two US congressmen arrived here on Thursday, marking the highest-level visit by US officials to the territory since Hamas movement seized control of the enclave nearly two years ago.

The Democratic representatives, Brian Baird and Keith Ellison arrived to the Hamas-controlled territory through Erez crossing in northern Gaza Strip and started touring areas hit by Israel during its major offensive in December and January.

At least 1,300 Palestinians were killed in the onslaught and the UN figures say that 14,000 houses were destroyed.

Earlier in the morning, Israeli tanks and bulldozers rolled 700 meters into the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, witnesses said.

The tension renewed after Israel rebuffed Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel decided not to engage in a ceasefire unless Hamas releases Gilad Shalit, a soldier who was captured in 2006.

Hamas said Shalit's case is separated from the ceasefire talks because Israel must release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier.