This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8589529.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Gaza militants kill Israel troops Gaza militants kill Israel troops
(about 4 hours 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 comes as militants made a bid to seize an Israeli soldier, a BBC correspondent says.
Local sources say 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'
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.
ANALYSIS By Paul WoodBBC News, Jerusalem ANALYSIS By Jon DonnisonBBC News, Ramallah
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. These clashes came around 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.
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. Local sources in Gaza say fighting broke out after an Israel incursion into the southern Gaza strip. Such incursions are relatively frequent in this area.
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. It appears that militants in Gaza then tried to capture at least one Israeli soldier. The militant wing of Hamas and another militant group, Islamic Jihad, has claimed responsibility. It could be that members of both groups were involved.
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." There has recently been a period of growing tension along the border with Gaza. There have been a number of rocket attacks with the Israelis hitting back using airstrikes and other means of retaliation. If the past is any guide, a further military response can now also 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".
The two men killed were named by Israel's Haaretz newspaper as Eliraz Peretz, 31, and 21-year-old Ilan Sebiatkovsky.
They are the first Israeli soldiers to have been killed in hostile fire in or around Gaza since Israel's major offensive there in January 2009, our correspondent says.
Hamas' armed wing - the Al-Qassam Brigades - said in a statement sent to the BBC, that it had killed the two Israeli soldiers.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."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. 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.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."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.
Army spokeswoman Avital Leibovich described the killings of Israel soldiers as both "tragic" and "painful".
"I think it's true to say that this is one of the fiercest days we have had since operation Cast Lead happened," she said, referring to Israel's 22-day offensive.