[12 January 2005] GAZA CITY,(Saba) - An Israeli soldier was killed and another wounded Wednesday in an attack on a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said .

Islamic Jihad, a violent group that has carried out dozens of attacks on Israeli targets, claimed responsibility for the attack. It said two of its members were killed in an ensuing gun battle.

Israeli military officials said the explosion went off near a military vehicle near the settlement of Morag.

TD

SABA