An explosion has killed an Israeli soldier amid clashes along the border with the Gaza Strip.

An Arab television station reported that Tuesday's explosion wounded at least three Israeli soldiers in addition to the fatality.

The Israeli military offered no confirmation of any casualties, but said an attack on a military patrol had taken place.

It is the first apparent breach of a January 18 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters routinely clash along the border fence that separates the Gaza Strip from Israel.

Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza last week after an offensive whose stated aim was to stop Palestinian rocket fire.