Israeli army opens fire at Egyptian forces at Rafah crossing, 1 killed

Israeli soldiers and Egyptian forces exchanged fire at the Rafah crossing on Monday in a rare incident, that claimed life of a soldier, according to Egyptian forces spokesperson.

Several more Egyptian soldiers were reportedly wounded. No Israeli soldier was wounded in the incident.

The IDF confirmed that it was in contact with Egypt over the shooting and that an investigation is underway.

While Egyptian reports said the Israeli soldiers opened fire fire, a military source confirmed that Engineering Corps soldiers operating in Rafah came under fire from Egyptian forces before returning fire.

An Egyptian army spokesman said in a statement that "The Egyptian armed forces are conducting an investigation through the relevant authorities regarding an incident of opening fire in the border area in Rafah - which resulted in the death of one of those responsible for border security."

Earlier Israel unleashed a massacre on camps sheltering displaced civilians in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of over 30 people, including children who were beheaded and burned alive. 

The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that at least 35 civilians were charred to death, with dozens more wounded. Women and children comprised the majority of the casualties.

Videos from the scene showed harrowing images of destruction, including a person holding the headless, burned body of a child as people searched the burning tents to rescue their loved ones.