Al-Quds brigades confirmed that a number of their fighters had clashed with Israeli forces [AFP]

The armed wing for the Islamic Jihad movement confirmed that a number of its fighters had clashed with Israeli forces on Monday and detonated an explosive device at an Israeli position.
 
It said the three, operating near the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, were trying to plant a bomb that could be detonated against Israeli patrols when they came under fire.

Ceasefire attempt

An Israeli military spokesman said that troops shot three gunmen at the border fence.
 
"There was an explosion at the time of the incident. Munitions were later found at the scene," the spokesman said.

The incident coincided with the visit of Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, to Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Egypt has been trying to broker a truce to end violence on the Israel-Gaza border.

Israel's cabinet this month decided to give the Egyptian mediation a chance but said it would also instruct the military to prepare for a possible incursion into Gaza.

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