1 June 2012 Last updated at 04:18 ET
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An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian have been killed during an exchange of fire along the Gaza border.
The Israeli army said that the Palestinian cut through the border fence and opened fire on Israeli troops, who then shot back.
The incident comes after several months of relative calm along the Gaza border, a BBC correspondent says.
There are reports that there was heavy mist in the area making it easier to approach the fence undetected.
According to Israeli media, the incident took place near the Kissufim crossing.
It is not known if the Palestinian was a member of a militant group.
It is not uncommon for the Israeli army to open fire on Palestinians who approach the fence. But it is rare for a Palestinian to break through and for an Israeli soldier to be killed in such an exchange, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports.
Residents of southern Israel, quoted by the Associated Press, said they heard gunfire in the early morning and heard Israeli helicopters circling in the air. They also said tank shells were fired into Gaza that set fire to fields.
The Israeli military maintains an exclusion zone on the Gaza side of the boundary between Gaza and Israel, and troops regularly carry out military activity in the area and fire on Palestinians who approach the fence.
Continue reading the main story
An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian have been killed during an exchange of fire along the Gaza border.
The Israeli army said that the Palestinian cut through the border fence and opened fire on Israeli troops, who then shot back.
The incident comes after several months of relative calm along the Gaza border, a BBC correspondent says.
There are reports that there was heavy mist in the area making it easier to approach the fence undetected.
According to Israeli media, the incident took place near the Kissufim crossing.
It is not known if the Palestinian was a member of a militant group.
It is not uncommon for the Israeli army to open fire on Palestinians who approach the fence. But it is rare for a Palestinian to break through and for an Israeli soldier to be killed in such an exchange, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports.
Residents of southern Israel, quoted by the Associated Press, said they heard gunfire in the early morning and heard Israeli helicopters circling in the air. They also said tank shells were fired into Gaza that set fire to fields.
The Israeli military maintains an exclusion zone on the Gaza side of the boundary between Gaza and Israel, and troops regularly carry out military activity in the area and fire on Palestinians who approach the fence.