Israeli shellfire killed a Palestinian and wounded seven people, including a 10-year-old girl, in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian medical workers said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said soldiers opened fire on "suspects" approaching a border fence but had no further comment.

Medical officials said one of those wounded in the attack was a 10-year-old girl. No other details were immediately released.

Israel has staged periodic assaults into Palestinian territory as part of cross-border violence on the Israel-Gaza frontier.

A week ago Israeli shellfire killed a Palestinian woman in Gaza. Israel said it had opened fire on what it claims "suspcted fighters".

Reuters