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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 'Israel soldier killed' near Gaza | 'Israel soldier killed' near Gaza |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An Israeli soldier is reported to have been killed and several others injured in an explosion on the Gaza border. | An Israeli soldier is reported to have been killed and several others injured in an explosion on the Gaza border. |
| The Israeli military said the blast targeted a patrol near the Kissufim border crossing into Gaza. | The Israeli military said the blast targeted a patrol near the Kissufim border crossing into Gaza. |
| Palestinian residents reported the sound of gunfire and Israeli helicopters in the area. | Palestinian residents reported the sound of gunfire and Israeli helicopters in the area. |
| It is the first reported Israeli fatality since Israel and Hamas declared ceasefires on 18 January after a three-week Israeli offensive. | It is the first reported Israeli fatality since Israel and Hamas declared ceasefires on 18 January after a three-week Israeli offensive. |
| Arab news channels said one Israeli soldier was killed and three injured in the incident. The Israeli military would not confirm the casualties until next of kin had been informed. | |
| One Palestinian was killed in the fighting, Palestinian medical officials said. | |
| Ceasefire negotiations | |
| The clash is the most serious outbreak of violence since the Israeli operation against Gaza ended with independent declarations of ceasefire from Israel and Hamas more than a week ago. | |
| More than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the violence. | |
| Israel said its objective was to stop militant rocket fire into southern Israel. | Israel said its objective was to stop militant rocket fire into southern Israel. |
| Egyptian mediators have been meeting separately with Israel and Hamas to negotiate a more permanent ceasefire between the two sides. | Egyptian mediators have been meeting separately with Israel and Hamas to negotiate a more permanent ceasefire between the two sides. |
| US President Barack Obama has sent his newly-appointed Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, to the region to discuss the ceasefire efforts. | US President Barack Obama has sent his newly-appointed Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, to the region to discuss the ceasefire efforts. |
| Hamas wants the border crossings into Gaza re-opened, including the Rafah crossing into Egypt, to end the Israeli blockade which has strangled the territory's economy. | |
| Israel wants to stop the rocket fire and prevent Hamas militants from re-arming via smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt. |