A Palestinian militant was shot dead early Wednesday by Israeli troops' gunfire near the Jewish settlement of Morag close to the southern Gaza town of Rafah, Israeli army sources reported.

The soldiers stationed at the outskirts of the settlement opened intensive gunfire at a group of militants who were moving close to the settlement's fence, said the sources.

Israel Radio also reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian gunmen who were trying to approach the settlement and carry out armed attack against the soldiers in the settlement.

Palestinian residents said three militants of Ahmed Abu Reesh Brigades, an armed wing affiliated to mainstream Fatah movement active in the southern Gaza Strip, were near the settlement.

However, the killing of one militant has not been confirmed by Palestinian security sources and residents.

Israel plans to evacuate 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in northern West Bank due to begin in mid-August as a step to unilaterally disengage from conflicts with the Palestinians.

Source: Xinhua