GAZA, July 23 (Xinhuanet) -- One Palestinian militant and two Israeli soldiers were killed in a gunbattle near Kissofim crossroad east of the central Gaza town of Deir el-Ballah overnight Saturday, Palestinian security sources and Israel Radio said.  

    The radio said the gunbattle broke out between two Palestinian militants and an Israeli army force.

    The crossroad is the entrance to Gush Katif settlement bloc in central and southern Gaza Strip.

    Earlier reports said four Israeli soldiers were injured, two of them in critical condition. According to the radio report, two soldiers died of wounds shortly after they were evacuated to hospital.

    During the clash, one Palestinian militant was killed and the other managed to escape from the area. More Israeli soldiers rushed to the scene to search for the militant.

    No one claimed responsibility for the attack.  

    Meanwhile, Israeli security sources said a Palestinian from northern Gaza Strip was arrested on Saturday as he was on his way to a place to carry out suicide bombing attack.

    Jihad Shehada was recruited by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a group linked to the Fatah movement, in the Gaza Strip.  

    Shehada is nephew of Sheikh Salah Shehada, Hamas armed wing commander who was assassinated in an Israeli air raid.  Enditem