Palestinian fighter killed by Israeli fire near Gaza border: Hamas

A Palestinian fighter was killed by Israeli fire near the border fence in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, the enclave's Islamist rulers Hamas said.

Mahmoud al-Adham, 28, was shot by Israeli forces in northern Gaza, a statement from Hamas's armed wing said, claiming him as a member.

It said in a statement it would not let the death go "unpunished" and Israel "would bear the consequences of this criminal act".

An Israeli army spokesman confirmed forces fired on two "armed suspects approaching the fence in the northern Gaza Strip".

Hamas's armed wing has observation points close to the border fence.

At least 295 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since major Hamas-backed protests began along the border fence in March 2018.

Most were killed during the protests but others were killed by airstrikes or tank fire.

In 2007, Israel imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the strip, effectively turning the coastal enclave into an open-air prison, where basic necessities such as food, fuel and medicines are severely controlled.

Critics say the blockade amounts to collective punishment of the coastal enclave's two million residents.

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