JERUSALEM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Wednesday that five soldiers were wounded during a clash with militants in the southern Gaza Strip.
The army said militants emerged from an underground structure during "operational activity" in eastern Rafah. One soldier was seriously wounded, while two others and a non-commissioned officer were moderately hurt. All were evacuated to the hospital.
A preliminary investigation found that troops shot dead two militants who approached them, the military said. Shortly afterward, a third man, who was not immediately identified, placed an explosive device on an armoured vehicle and fled.
The incident prompted Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in the area.
Despite a fragile ceasefire that began on Oct. 10, Israel has continued near-daily demolitions, raids, and strikes in Gaza, killing at least 360 people and wounding 923 others since Oct. 11, according to the Gaza-based health authorities. ■
