GAZA, (Reuters) – A Palestinian farmer was killed in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip near the border with Israel on Saturday, medical workers said.

Local residents said the man was killed when a mortar fired by Palestinian militants at Israel fell short in northern Gaza.

Militant groups initially reported the man was killed by Israeli artillery fire.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said soldiers were fired upon by militants in Gaza near the fence but they did not return fire.

Palestinian militants in Gaza frequently fire mortars and rockets into southern Israel. Israel often raids the coastal territory in what it says is an attempt to curb the cross-border attacks.