Israeli troops kill Palestinian along Gaza border

[November 13, 2009]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- Palestinian and Israeli officials say troops have killed one Palestinian along the Gaza border.

The Israeli military says five men "appeared to be planting explosive devices" along the tense frontier when troops opened fire.

A Palestinian hospital official says the men were civilians hunting birds. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

The military says it is investigating if the men actually planted a bomb and if they were armed.

The military says one man was killed, another was taken for medical treatment in Israel and three others were taken for questioning.

Gaza has been largely quiet since Israel's offensive against Hamas early this year, but there has been sporadic violence along the border.

[Associated Press; By MATTI FRIEDMAN]

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