JERUSALEM, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz vowed on Sunday a strong retaliation for an earlier deadly Palestinian militant attack on an Israeli military post near the Gaza border.

    Peretz warned Palestinian militants of a "painful price" for the deadly attack, vowing to exert every possible effort in a bid secure the safe return of an Israeli soldier who was missing and was believed to be abducted by Palestinian militants in the attack.

    The minister also warned that Israel would seek revenge against anyone who injured the missing soldier.

    But Peretz did not specify what moves Israel would take.

    Earlier, the Israeli army that the missing soldier was still alive.

    Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others wounded early on Sunday when eight Palestinian militants from three armed groups including Hamas' armed wing mounted a coordinated attack on the Israeli army post near the Kerem Shalom crossing on the eastern Gaza border with Israel.

    In the wake of the attack, Israeli troops intruded into the Gaza Strip in the largest intrusion since Israel pulled out forces and settlers from Gaza last summer after a 38-year-long presence there.

    The Hamas-led Palestinian government also urged the kidnappers to keep the Israeli soldier safe.

    Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement which is bent on Israel's destruct, has called off a 16-month-old truce with Israel since June 9 when seven Palestinian civilians were killed in a blast on a Gaza beach.

    The Palestinians insist that the seven were killed in an Israeli shelling but Israel denies responsibility. Enditem