Two Palestinians killed near Gaza border

Israeli troops today shot and killed two Palestinians who had entered an unauthorised zone near a security barrier separating Gaza from Israel, army and Palestinian sources said.

The Palestinians were unarmed, but were carrying binoculars and mobile phones, possible signs that they were planning an attack, the army said.

It said that it had received warnings that militants were planning an attack, and soldiers were continuing searches in the area near the Israeli village of Nahal Oz.

The area near the barrier is off limits to Palestinians and has been a frequent site of violence, the army said.

It said militant groups have recently tried to plant explosives or infiltrate into Israel near Nahal Oz.

But Palestinians say farmers wandering into the area have also been targeted.

Palestinian hospital officials confirmed the two deaths. One of the men was identified as Ashraf al-Imbayed, 25, who was wearing a military-style jacket and came from a family known to support the Islamic Jihad militant group.