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Israeli soldiers stand on the Israeli-Palestinian border near the Gaza City of Khan Yunis (illustration). Said KHATIB / AFP

Four armed Palestinians, including one crossing the border with Israel from the Gaza Strip, were killed on Saturday, the Israeli army said.

This is one of the most serious incidents on the border between Israel and Gaza in recent weeks, reports our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michel Paul .

According to the Israeli army Palestinians armed with Kalashnikovs, hand grenades and a rocket launcher were spotted last night as they approached the security fence that separates Israel from Palestinian territory.

According to the spokesperson, one of the Palestinians broke through the fence and threw a grenade at the soldiers; the military then opened fire and killed four Palestinians.

It is reported that the incident did not kill the Israeli side.

A Palestinian source quoted by the Israeli media claims that three of the Palestinians killed were Hamas fighters members of the police who were specifically trying to prevent the infiltration of a Palestinian civilian to Israel.

And then it is also reported that shortly after the incident Israeli forces struck a Hamas position near the town of Dir el-Balah in the southern Gaza Strip.