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Gaza militants kill Israel troops Gaza militants kill Israel troops
(40 minutes later)
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed during clashes with Hamas fighters on the Gaza Strip's southern border, the Israeli army has said.Two Israeli soldiers have been killed during clashes with Hamas fighters on the Gaza Strip's southern border, the Israeli army has said.
Two other soldiers were wounded during the fighting which broke out east of the town of Khan Younis.Two other soldiers were wounded during the fighting which broke out east of the town of Khan Younis.
Two Palestinian militants were also killed in the clashes, Palestinian and Israeli sources say.Two Palestinian militants were also killed in the clashes, Palestinian and Israeli sources say.
The unrest may have been sparked by a bid by militants to seize an Israeli soldier, a BBC correspondent says.The unrest may have been sparked by a bid by militants to seize an Israeli soldier, a BBC correspondent says.
Palestinian militants carried out a raid across the fence line and the Israeli military then appears to have pursued them back into Gaza, says the BBC's Paul Wood, in Jerusalem.Palestinian militants carried out a raid across the fence line and the Israeli military then appears to have pursued them back into Gaza, says the BBC's Paul Wood, in Jerusalem.
'Further response expected''Further response expected'
According to Palestinian sources, Israeli forces responded using tank shells and heavy machine guns, our correspondent adds.According to Palestinian sources, Israeli forces responded using tank shells and heavy machine guns, our correspondent adds.
In a statement sent to the BBC, Hamas' armed wing - the Al-Qassam Brigades - said it killed the two Israeli soldiers. ANALYSIS By Paul WoodBBC News, Jerusalem
Speaking to Reuters news agency, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida is quoted as saying: "This was our work, but was carried out for defence". These clashes seem to have originated in an attempt by militant groups in Gaza to capture another Israeli soldier to add to Gilad Shalit, who has now been held for more than three years.
Local sources in Gaza say another smaller group, the PFLP General Command, was also involved. This was broadly the same coalition responsible for seizing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit more than three years ago, our correspondent says. This was said by local sources in Gaza to have involved the military wing of Hamas and another small group, the PFLP General Command. This is broadly the same coalition responsible for taking Gilad Shalit prisoner. The resulting clashes were some of the most intense since the short war with Israel in early 2009.
Eyewitnesses in the area described a brief period of heavy clashes and also said that a powerful explosion took place. But this has, in general, been a period of growing tension along the border with Gaza. There have been a number of rocket attacks - with the Israelis hitting back with airstrikes and other retaliation. If the past is any guide, therefore, a further Israeli military response can also now be expected.
Our correspondent says that, if the past is any guide, a further Israeli military response can also now be expected. In a statement, reported by the AFP news agency, an Israeli government spokesman said: "An officer and a soldier were killed and two others slightly wounded in an exchange of fire with terrorists planting explosives along the security fence in southern Gaza."
A ceasefire between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, has largely held since the 2008-2009 conflict with Israel. Gaza remains under an Israeli-led blockade. Hamas' armed wing - the Al-Qassam Brigades - said in a statement sent to the BBC, that it had killed the two Israeli soldiers.
Speaking to Reuters news agency, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida is quoted as saying: "This was our work, but was carried out for defence."
A ceasefire between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, has largely held since the 2008-2009 conflict with Israel. Gaza - from which Israel withdrew in 2005 - remains under an Israeli-led blockade.
Israel's military said it blamed Hamas for Friday's violence.
"Hamas is accountable for any activity that takes place from Gaza to Israel. It doesn't matter if it took responsibility or not," a spokeswoman said, according to Reuters.