Israeli killed by 'friendly fire'

**An Israeli has been killed by his own forces in a border incident in which three Palestinians illegally crossing the border from Gaza were seized.**The Israeli army said the Palestinians were unarmed and thought to be looking for work when they were stopped.

A second Israeli army unit arrived and opened fire, mistaking the first unit for the Palestinian suspects.

Tensions have risen in the region despite US efforts to revive stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Israeli media reported that the soldier killed was a member of a tank crew who had left their vehicle to approach the Gaza border near Kissufim to detain the Palestinians.

A patrol from another unit arrived on the scene and opened fire by mistake.

The Israeli military is investigating the incident.