Israeli forces wound Palestinian on Gaza border

GAZA, Dec 7 (Reuters) Israeli soldiers shot and wounded a Palestinian on the border with Gaza today, the second time Israeli forces have opened fire since a truce took effect along the strip late last month.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said a number of Palestinians approached the Israeli-built border fence near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya and began to sabotage it. Soldiers fired warning shots that were ignored, she said.

''The force fired at one Palestinian and hit him in the leg,'' the spokeswoman said.

Palestinian hospital officials said a 23-year-old man was moderately wounded by Israeli gunfire. It was unclear if he was a civilian or militant.

Israeli soldiers shot and wounded two Palestinians who approached the fence yesterday. The army said they were acting suspiciously.

Palestinian ambulance workers said they were unarmed.

Since the Gaza ceasefire was declared in the wake of a crushing five-month-old Israeli army offensive in the impoverished coastal strip, militants have launched some 20 rockets at southern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has pledged to show restraint for the time being.

Groups behind the rocket attacks said they considered recent Israeli raids against militants in the occupied West Bank, where there is no truce, as violations of the truce.

The international community hopes the shaky ceasefire can lead to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Peace talks foundered in 2000, just before the start of a Palestinian uprising.

REUTERS PB BS1309