A leading member of Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was shot dead Sunday morning by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, witnesses said.

Israeli soldiers stationed on the outskirts of the Jewish settlement of Gani Tal west of Khan Younis opened fire at Sa'eed Seyam and shot him dead, said the witnesses.

Seyam, 30, a member of Hamas' armed wing al-Qassam Brigades, was shot by Israeli sniper when he was coming out of his home in western Khan Younis, added the witnesses.

Residents of Khan Younis saw dozens of Israeli army tanks west of the city, while the Israeli army divided the Gaza Strip into three isolated territories following an increase of violence with Palestinian militants recently.

Source: Xinhua