Israeli soldier and Palestinian fighter die in Gaza border clash

AN ISRAELI soldier and a Palestinian militant have been killed in an exchange of fire on the Gaza border, sparking fears of a broader flare-up in the tense area.

Following the firefight, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired missiles inside the Gaza Strip, wounding three people, and militants fired projectiles into southern Israel.

The violence began when a militant, under cover of thick morning fog, succeeded in cutting a hole in the border fence and infiltrating into Israel. He was confronted by Israeli soldiers from the Golani infantry brigade, and in the ensuing exchange of fire the Palestinian gunman was killed along with one of the Israeli troops.

An Israeli military spokesman said the gunman was probably aiming to carry out a shooting attack or to kidnap a soldier. The spokesman admitted troops were taken by surprise, but said they reacted swiftly.

Israel blamed Gaza’s Hamas rulers for the attack. “The Hamas terror organisation is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.

No group claimed responsibility, but a spokesman for Islamic Jihad praised the infiltration as “heroic” and identified the gunman as a 23-year-old resident of the southern Gaza Strip.

Israel’s border with Gaza has been relatively quiet since Israel launched a three-week war in December 2008 against Hamas following heavy militant rocket fire. However, periodic flare-ups have threatened to escalate into a new round of fighting.

A senior Israeli intelligence chief warned earlier this week that another military invasion of Gaza may be necessary. Yoram Cohen, head of the Israel Security Agency, said that a military operation was necessary to rout militant groups. “The army’s inaction against terrorist organisations will lead to a situation in which Hamas has far greater abilities in the next round of fighting,” Mr Cohen told the Knesset foreign affairs and defence committee.

Mr Cohen said that since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, militant groups have been building up their capabilities and now have 8,000 rockets aimed at Israel. Israel’s dilemma was not whether to launch an offensive, but rather how Hamas would respond. “Such action might force a significant number of people [in Israel] into bomb shelters,” he said.