The aftermath of a botched Israeli undercover operation in the Gaza strip.

Palestinians say this was the spot where an Israeli special forces member was rescued.

The incursion led to a firefight, a Hamas commander was killed, and six other Palestinians.

An Israeli lieutenant-colonel was also killed in the raid, identified only as "M." Another officer was wounded.

Undercover operations like these becoming public are extremely rare.

Following the gun battle, Israeli aircraft fired dozens of missiles into the area.

Hamas, the dominant armed group in Gaza, say the strikes were intended as cover for the retreat of a car used by the Israeli troops.

In response Palestinians fired 17 rockets into southern Israel.

The border fell quiet Monday (November 12) but Hamas say the Israeli actions are a blow to efforts to broker a ceasefire.

In an apparent attempt to defuse tensions the Israeli military said the special forces had not been dispatched to assassinate Hamas commanders.

A tactic that has in the past sparked previous outbreaks in fighting.

Neither side appears eager to escalate a wider conflict.

But the violence still brought Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scurrying to catch the next flight home, cutting short an official visit to Paris.