The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Gaza City

Pre-dawn clashes erupted in Gaza on Sunday, leaving three militants wounded according to the Palestinans, as Israel said it was keeping all border crossings with impoverished territory sealed.

"Following mortar and rocket fire, the border crossings we had expected to open will remain closed," defence ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror said.

He said the restriction covers all goods and people except the sick, who would be allowed to travel to and from the Hamas-run territory.

A small Palestinian militant group, the Popular Resistance Comittees, said three of its fighters were wounded in the early hours after an Israeli incursion into central Gaza.

The group said the incusion east of the Maghazi refugee camp prompted an exchange of fire and Israeli shelling of its fighters. Medical sources confirmed that they were treating three wounded Palestinians. There was no immediate word from the Israeli military on the incident.

An Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and the Hamas movement which rules the Gaza Strip went into force on June 19, but since November 4 there has been a spate of cross-border attacks.

Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai warned on Saturday that a major incursion into Gaza was becoming more likely after militant mortar fire wounded seven soldiers at a nearby base on Friday.

The attack was claimed by the Popular Resistance Committees. Three of its fighters were also wounded during an Israeli incursion into Gaza on Friday.