Two killed in clash in Gaza Strip

Israeli troops withdrew in a sandstorm after the raid into Gaza

An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian militant have been killed in clashes in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli raid in the south of the territory.

Israeli army radio reported that the soldier had been shot at close range. The militant group Islamic Jihad said it killed the soldier.

The armed wing of the militant Hamas movement said the dead Palestinian was a member of its armed wing.

Several other Palestinians were reported wounded in clashes.

The Israeli army said it had entered Gaza to target what it described as terrorist threats and rocket-launching infrastructure.

Palestinian medical sources said the Hamas gunman was hit by tank fire near the town of Khan Younis.

Israeli military sources said the soldier was shot by Palestinians during the fighting in the town but did not give further details.

Palestinian militants frequently fire home-made rockets from Gaza into southern Israel and Israel's army regularly conducts deadly raids into Gaza, although Israeli fatalities are rare.