JERUSALEM – An Israeli soldier was shot dead by Palestinian gunfire on theGaza border Friday, the army said, raising fears of a new conflict with thestrip’s Islamist rulers Hamas.

The soldier was shot by a “terrorist squad” along the border, the army saidin a statement, with the military retaliating with air strikes.

It said he was a combat soldier but did not give his name or rank.

He was the first Israeli killed since Palestinian protests were launched onthe border with the Jewish state on March 30.

At least 149 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly shot duringdemonstrations and clashes along the border, but others in Israeli airstrikes or by tank fire.

Israel has long accused Hamas of seeking to use the protests as a pretextfor carrying out attacks.

Friday’s incident took place at the border near southern Gaza, with theIsraeli army carrying out extensive strikes in retaliation.

Spokesman Jonathan Conricus told journalists the shooting was something thearmy “cannot tolerate”.

Three Hamas fighters were killed in the retaliatory strikes, while a fourthPalestinian was shot in protests on the border.

Three rockets were later launched from Gaza at Israel, the army said.

“We have been conducting significant airstrikes against several Hamastargets all over the Gaza Strip,” Conricus said. – APP/AFP