An Israeli army spokesman confirmed that an Israeli soldier was killed during clashes with Palestinian militants in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The soldier was shot in the head in shootout with Palestinian militants on the outskirts of Beit Lahia, the spokesman said, adding that he was dead on the way to hospital.

Two other Israeli soldiers was lightly injured in the gunbattle.

Earlier Thursday, a Palestinian militant group had claimed to have shot dead an Israeli soldier during clashes in Beit Lahia.

Source: Xinhua