An Israeli has been killed by his own forces in a border incident in which three Palestinians illegally crossing the border from Gaza were seized.

The Israeli army said the Palestinians were unarmed and thought to be looking for work when they were stopped.

A second Israeli army unit arrived and opened fire, mistaking the first unit for the Palestinian suspects.

Tensions have risen in the region despite US efforts to revive stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Israeli media reported that the soldier killed was a member of a tank crew who had left their vehicle to approach the Gaza border near Kissufim to detain the Palestinians.

A patrol from another unit arrived on the scene and opened fire by mistake.

The Israeli military is investigating the incident.