GAZA, Jan. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli troops shot dead on Friday two Palestinians in two separate incidents in Gaza city and the Gaza Strip southern town of Khan Younis, Palestinian medics and witnesses said. 

   They said that Israeli troops stationed on the road leading to the Jewish settlement of Nitzarim shot dead on Friday night a Palestinian militant in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers. 

   Medics at Shiffa Hospital in Gaza City said that Bashir Ayyad, 26, was shot and killed in east of Zaytoon neighborhood in Gaza City, adding there were no other injuries.

   Earlier Friday, another Palestinian, who is believed a member of Hamas movement, was shot dead as he approached to the Jewish settlement of Gani Tal west of the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip.

   Israeli and Palestinian sources said that the man was killed as he approached to the settlement in a bid to plant a roadside bomb near the settlement's fence. 

   Palestinian medics at Rafah town, meanwhile, said that a nine-year-old child was shot and critically wounded by Israeli soldiers stationed on the borderline between Rafah town in southern Gaza Strip and Egypt. 

   Palestinian security officials expressed concerns that the Israeli army's escalation in the Palestinian territories would obstruct holding the presidential elections on Sunday.  Enditem