Tel Aviv - Israel's Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter and his delegation came under fire from Gaza Friday as they were touring Israel's border area near the strip, the minister said.

Dichter escaped unharmed, but his bureau chief, Matti Gil, was said to be moderately injured when hit in the groin.

An Israeli army spokeswoman in Tel Aviv confirmed Palestinian militants opened fire from the Gaza Strip, aiming either at the group of officials and civilians, or possibly at nearby army outposts or patrols. She confirmed one person was moderately injured.

Dichter was showing a group of North American Jews around the area and brought them to a hill overlooking the strip, near the Israeli community of Nir Am, when the shots were fired at them.

"We were on a tour with several dozen people and then fire was opened at us," Dichter told Israel Army Radio.

"Everybody behaved okay. They just acted as if they were trained how to respond to gunfire. They lay down and took cover. At the same time, fire was returned to the Palestinians," he said.

Dichter said he did not believe he had been the target of the attack.

Israel Radio reported that a Palestinian group calling itself "The Army of the Nation" claimed responsibility. (dpa)