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'Israel soldier killed' near Gaza 'Two killed' in Gaza border clash
(30 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 and a Palestinian man are reported to have been killed in a clash on the Israel-Gaza border.
The Israeli military said the blast targeted a patrol near the Kissufim border crossing into Gaza. The soldier was killed when his patrol was hit by an explosion, Arab news channels reported. The Palestinian was killed soon after by Israeli gunfire.
Palestinian residents reported the sound of gunfire and Israeli helicopters in the area. The Israeli military said the blast targeted a patrol in Israel near the Kissufim border crossing into Gaza.
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 death since Israel and Hamas declared ceasefires more than a week ago.
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. Arab news channels said one Israeli soldier had been killed and three injured in the explosion. 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. No Palestinian militant group has yet said it carried out the attack.
Palestinian residents of Kissufim said they could hear Israeli helicopters circling overhead and the sound of heavy gunfire.
The residents said the Palestinian killed was a farmer caught in an exchange of fire between Israeli soldiers and militants.
Ceasefire negotiationsCeasefire 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. Israel and Hamas declared separate ceasefires on 17 and 18 January, ending a three-week Israeli offensive in which nearly 1,300 Palestinians and 10 Israeli soldiers were killed. Three Israeli civilians were killed by rocket fire from Gaza in the same period.
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 from Gaza.
Israel said its objective was to stop militant rocket fire into southern Israel. Egyptian mediators have been meeting separately with Israel and Hamas, which controls Gaza, to negotiate a more permanent ceasefire.
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.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.Israel wants to stop the rocket fire and prevent Hamas militants from re-arming via smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt.