Gaza - An Islamic Hamas militant was killed and two wounded early Saturday when an Israeli aircraft struck a group of militants east of Gaza City, medics and witnesses said.

Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian Health Ministry said that Ihab Abu Amro, 21, was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Sheja'eya neighbourhood, east of Gaza.

The al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing, said in a leaflet that its militants and Israeli soldiers had exchanged fire in the neighbourhood, adding that several Israeli army tanks and armoured vehicles had stormed the area.

Hamas militants fired 45 mortar shells and several grenades at the Israeli army forces during the clashes, the group said adding that the militants' strikes had prevented army vehicles from advancing into the area.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian suicide bomber was killed and five Israeli soldiers wounded in an attack near the Kerem Shalon crossing on the border between southern Gaza Strip and Israel, Palestinian sources said.

A Palestinian militant drove a booby trapped car into the area and blew it up near Israeli soldiers at the crossing. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. (dpa)