JERUSALEM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops opened fire at three armed Palestinians after they had crossed the fence from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on Tuesday night, the Israeli army said.
There were conflicting reports about the conditions of the suspects. The Israeli army said that they were hit by the fire and some Israeli media reported that at least one of them was killed.
An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that soldiers on patrol had identified the suspects crossing the fence from the southern Gaza Strip into Israel.
"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops arrived at the scene and cordoned and searched the area towards the suspects who hurled a grenade or an explosive device at the troops," said the spokesperson.
"The troops opened fire," the spokesperson added.
There was no danger to nearby Israeli communities, the army said.
The incident came at a relatively quiet time and amid international efforts led by Egypt and the United Nations to broker an unofficial cease-fire between Islamic Hamas movement and Israel.
It also came as Israel was preparing to mark the 75 anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz on Thursday, a major event attended by some 49 world leaders.
Israeli security forces were on high alert to secure the event.
