GAZA, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli troops shot dead on Wednesday a Palestinian who approached the borders between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, Palestinian medics said.

   According to witnesses, the Palestinian was first shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers in east of Jabalya town near the borders and then the soldiers opened fire at anybody who was trying to approach the wounded man, adding that the man was left bleeding to death.

   The identity of the Palestinian was not immediately known.

   Palestinian security sources reported that the Israeli army had sent military reinforcement to the borders between northern Gaza Strip and Israel, expecting that the Israeli army is planning a large-scale operation into the area soon.

   The last large-scale operation was carried out in October, during which more than 125 Palestinians were killed and more than 500 others were injured.

   The aim of the Israeli army operations was to prevent Palestinian militants from launching the homemade al Qassam Rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot.

   On another development, Ezzdine al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic resistance movement (Hamas), Wednesday claimed responsibility for shooting and wounding an Israeli soldier in the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

   The group Wednesday day continued its attacks on Jewish settlements in Gaza and an Israeli outpost near Gush Katif settlement.

   Meanwhile, a Fatah movement armed wing said that the Palestinian who was shot dead earlier Wednesday in western Khan Younis during an Israeli new incursion is one of its members, adding that he was killed in the fight with the Israeli soldiers.  Enditem