Israel denies shooting Gaza girl

Iman Tulba was about to eat lunch when she was hit, said relatives

The Israeli army has denied reports that its soldiers were responsible for the death of a 12-year-old Palestinian girl in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Reports said the Iman Touba was hit in her home at Khan Younis, by a stray bullet from soldiers at the nearby Jewish settlement of Gush Katif.

The Israelis say only warning shots were fired and no-one was hurt.

The area between Khan Younis and Gush Katif in the southern Gaza Strip is a frequent flashpoint of violence.

Palestinian medics said Israeli soldiers at the settlement opened fire on the nearby three-storey building in Khan Younis.

The young girl's cousin, Alaa, said he saw a bullet fly through the family's kitchen window and ricochet off a wall before hitting her.

"Iman had returned from school and was going to the kitchen to ask her mother about lunch," he said.

"While she was getting a plate, a bullet suddenly came through the window and she was shot in her head, with her blood spilling on the floor."

Palestinian sources had said that the girl later died in hospital.