Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts 

    GAZA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian civilian was killed on Tuesday morning by an Israeli shelling on an area east of central Gaza Strip near the border with Israel, medics and witnesses said.

    The witnesses said Israeli tanks shelled the Palestinian residential area near the crossing of Kissufim on the border between Israel and east of central Gaza Strip.

    Hospital officials said one Palestinian was killed in the shelling on Palestinian houses, adding that no other injuries were reported.

    The Israeli shelling was carried out shortly after an Israeli soldier was killed and three others wounded near the border between Israel and an area east of the central Gaza Strip.

    Palestinian sources and residents in the area said a roadside bomb was detonated near the fence of the border, adding that they heard a huge explosion and intensive gunshot.

    Local news agency Maan also quoted Palestinian sources as saying that one Israeli soldier was killed and three injured in clashes with Palestinian militants near the border with Israel.

    Israeli media sources said one Israeli soldier was killed and three wounded in armed clashes between Israeli soldiers who were stationed near the border and Gaza militants.

    The Israeli army imposed censorship on publishing the report, said the Israeli media sources.

    Israeli radio reported that Palestinian militants fired a missile at an Israeli tank in the area.

    No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

    The 22-day Israeli military offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza ended on Jan. 18, leaving 10 Israeli soldiers, three Israeli civilians killed and around 1,400 Palestinians killed and 5,500 others wounded.