A Hamas armed wing member killed by Israeli fire after soldier injured was killed by Israeli tank fire along the Gaza border Tuesday, the health ministry in the strip said, in what the Israeli army described as a response to gunfire which wounded a soldier.
Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP that Mohammed al-Nabaheen, 24, was hit by tank fire and died, while two other people were hurt.
Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules Gaza, confirmed he was a member of its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
The Israeli army said it had targeted a Hamas observation post after a soldier was lightly wounded when a bullet struck his helmet.
"An initial investigation indicates that during a riot that included rock-hurling, an assailant fired at (Israeli) troops," an Israeli army statement said.
"A bullet struck the helmet of an IDF officer, lightly injuring him," it added, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.
An unconfirmed picture circulating on social media showed the damaged helmet allegedly worn by the soldier.
At least 244 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli fire since regular protests began along the border in March.
Most were killed during the often violent protests, though others were killed by tank fire or air strikes.
Two Israelis, including a soldier shot along the border, have died.
Related Story