3 Israeli soldiers die in Gaza fighting

Occupied Jerusalem: Three Israeli soldiers and four Hamas fighters have died in clashes in the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli spokesman said the soldiers died near the Israeli border. Meanwhile Hamas said four of its fighters were killed.

The fighting occured near the Nahal Oz border terminal, east of Gaza City. Two Israelis also died at Nahal Oz in clashes last week.

Israel said troops had conducted a raid to stop Palestinian fighters from launching rockets into Israel.