An Islamic suicide motorist blew himself up near an Israeli army checkpoint early today.
This was the first of several human bombs Palestinian militants have vowed to unleash to avenge the killing of an 11-year-old boy.
The Israeli army said no one else was hurt in the Gaza Strip blast near the Kissufim crossing to Israel. The Islamic militant wing Hamas claimed responsibility in a statement received by Reuters.
Yesterday, Hamas promised to send 10 suicide bombers against Israel to avenge the army's killing of Khalil Mughrabi in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Palestinians said the boy was throwing stones at soldiers who opened fire.
But the army said its troops had responded at the time to hand grenades, fire bombs and gunfire at a military post.
Hamas's military wing identified the suicide bomber and published his photo in a statement saying it was responding to the assassination and the killing of children .
In a separate incident, an Israeli army officer died today of wounds sustained in a roadside bomb attack near Hebron in the West Bank.
At least 477 Palestinians, 122 Israelis and 13 Israeli Arabs have been killed since a Palestinian uprising began in September after peace talks stalled.