Israeli soldier and four Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip clashes
The deaths come amid continuing violence and a United Nations warning that both sides must "step back from the brink" of war.
An Israeli soldier has become the latest fatality in clashes on the country's border with Gaza.
The soldier was shot in a military operation near southern Gaza and later died from his injuries.
Israeli Defence Forces announced the death hours after four Palestinians were killed on the border, three of whom were Hamas members and the fourth a civilian.
They are among more than 135, mostly unarmed, Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since border protests began at the end of March.
The United Nations has urged Hamas and Israel to "step back from the brink" as tensions between the two sides continue to flare.
The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, wrote on Twitter: "Everyone in Gaza needs to step back from the brink.
"Not next week. Not tomorrow. Right NOW! Those who want to provoke Palestinians and Israelis into another war must not succeed."
Some 120 Palestinians were also injured on Friday.
The Israeli Defence Forces said it had launched a large attack on Hamas military targets on the Gaza Strip following "a severe shooting attack against IDF soldiers this afternoon".
"Earlier today, IDF aircraft and tanks targeted military targets belonging to the Hamas terror organisation.
"The IDF views today's attack and the hostile activity orchestrated by Hamas throughout the last months with great severity.
"Hamas chose to escalate the security situation and will bear the consequences for its actions. IDF troops are on high alert and will continue to operate in order to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians."
An Israeli soldier has become the latest fatality in clashes on the country's border with Gaza.
The soldier was shot in a military operation near southern Gaza and later died from his injuries.
Israeli Defence Forces announced the death hours after four Palestinians were killed on the border, three of whom were Hamas members and the fourth a civilian.
They are among more than 135, mostly unarmed, Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since border protests began at the end of March.
The United Nations has urged Hamas and Israel to "step back from the brink" as tensions between the two sides continue to flare.
The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, wrote on Twitter: "Everyone in Gaza needs to step back from the brink.
"Not next week. Not tomorrow. Right NOW! Those who want to provoke Palestinians and Israelis into another war must not succeed."
Some 120 Palestinians were also injured on Friday.
The Israeli Defence Forces said it had launched a large attack on Hamas military targets on the Gaza Strip following "a severe shooting attack against IDF soldiers this afternoon".
"Earlier today, IDF aircraft and tanks targeted military targets belonging to the Hamas terror organisation.
"The IDF views today's attack and the hostile activity orchestrated by Hamas throughout the last months with great severity.
"Hamas chose to escalate the security situation and will bear the consequences for its actions. IDF troops are on high alert and will continue to operate in order to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians."
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