Tel Aviv  - Israeli soldiers on patrol along the Israel-Egypt border opened fire on an Egyptian soldier early Monday morning, an Israeli military spokeswoman in Tel Aviv said.

Israel media reports said the Egyptian was wounded.

The spokeswoman said that Israeli troops on early morning patrol noticed what she called a "suspicious" figure, who cocked his weapon. Thinking they were dealing with a cross-border infiltrator, they opened fire. The figure fled back across the border.

Israeli and Egyptian officials were investigating the incident.

The incident took place in a area where Israeli troops are on high alert because of cross-border smuggling into Israel. (dpa)