Israeli forces kill fellow soldier in friendly fire

The Israeli army says its servicemen “unintentionally” killed a fellow soldier on Monday, while firing shots at the Palestinians near the border with the Gaza Strip.

“The soldier was killed when Israeli troops opened fire by mistake in his direction near the security barrier” between southern Israel and Gaza, AFP quoted an Israeli army spokesman as saying.

The spokesman said the troops were aiming for “trespassing” Palestinians, who were arrested near Khan Yunis after trying to enter Israel unarmed.

A Gaza-based Palestinian security source said the Israeli forces subsequently fired missiles into the area, wounding one Palestinian.