3 die in Gaza clash; soldiers find tunnel

JERUSALEM, April 9 (UPI) -- An Israeli soldier and two Hamas militants died Wednesday during an exchange of gunfire in the Gaza Strip, military officials said.

The deaths occurred during a routine operation against the terrorist organization during which two Israeli soldiers were wounded, Haaretz reported.

No injuries were reported after four mortar shells struck Kibbutz Ein Hasholsha in the western Negev near the Gaza border Wednesday, Haaretz said.

Israeli soldiers Tuesday killed three Palestinian militants in northern Gaza and found a tunnel officials said was used to smuggle guns militants and other contraband into Israel.

Some 32 mortars and three Qassam rockets were fired from the Hamas-controlled Gaza at Israeli territory Tuesday, Israeli government officials said in a news release. No injuries were reported.

The government also said 127 trucks carrying medical equipment, diapers and food were transferred Wednesday from Israel to the Palestinian population in Gaza at the Sufa and Kerem Shalom crossings.