Military: Israeli soldier killed by ‘friendly fire’ near Gaza border

TEL AVIV - An Israeli soldier was killed by “friendly fire” from other Israeli troops Monday night, while checking three Palestinians who had crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel, an Israeli military spokesman in Tel Aviv confirmed.

The incident occurred near the Kissufim crossing point, after the soldiers spotted the three Palestinians crossing the fence separating the Strip from Israel.

According to an initial report, other troops, on the other side of the Palestinians, mistook the first soldiers for Gaza gunmen and opened fire.

The three Palestinians were unarmed, and had apparently crossed into Israel looking for work. They were taken for questioning.

The incident took place shortly after militants in the Strip fired a rocket at Israel. The missile, which landed in an open area, caused neither injuries nor damage.