Soldier and militant killed in Gaza clash

A Hamas militant and an Israeli soldier were killed today in clashes in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military confirmed one soldier died and two others were slightly wounded during a brief operation against militants in the area.

Troops exchanged fire with Palestinian armed men, and Israeli aircraft struck twice against militants who approached the border fence with Israel, it said.

The military said it launched the operation in response to shootings and other anti-Israel activity in the area of the border fence.

Hamas said one of its fighters was killed in the operation, which concluded by early morning.