Israeli soldier killed during Gaza incursion

GAZA, July 12 (Reuters) One Israeli soldier was killed and two were wounded today in a clash with Palestinian militants in Hamas-controlled Gaza, the first Israeli death in the coastal strip in nine months, an army spokesman said.

Hamas's armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, said its militants ambushed the Israeli troops as they entered the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Local residents said an Israeli air strike during the incursion seriously wounded at least two Palestinian militants, identified as members of Islamic Jihad.

Hamas said the militants who ambushed the Israeli troops detonated previously planted explosive devices and then opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machineguns.

Israel has carried out numerous incursions into the Gaza Strip since Hamas defeated its Fatah movement rivals and seized the territory by force last month. Until now, all the casualties from Israeli raids have been Palestinians.

The last time an Israeli soldier was killed during fighting in Gaza was in November 2006.

The Israeli army said today's operation was aimed at ''foiling terrorist actions.'' It said its troops had killed or wounded a number of Palestinians and the operation was still under way.

An Israeli raid into the same area last week killed 11 Palestinians, including nine Hamas militants.

Reuters AE DB1249