An Egyptian soldier was killed in an incident involving Egyptian and Israeli troops near Rafah. Both militaries are investigating the event.

Israeli media reported an exchange of fire, but details are sparse and no Israeli casualties have been reported.

Tensions between Egypt and Israel have escalated since Israeli forces took control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing point three weeks ago as part of their offensive against Hamas.

Egypt strongly supports the Palestinians and has condemned Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the killing of thousands of civilians by Israel in the war.

Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace deal with Israel 45 years ago, has had often frosty relations with Israel, though deadly incidents between their troops are rare.

Hours before the shooting, Egypt's foreign ministry condemned an Israeli strike on Rafah that killed at least 45 people, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, accusing Israel of targeting defenseless civilians.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attack killed two senior Hamas officials and stated it was reviewing reports of civilian casualties caused by the strike and the subsequent fire.

Like Israel, Egypt has maintained a blockade on its border with Gaza since Hamas took power in 2006. Hamas, an offshoot of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood organization banned in Egypt as a terrorist group, is in control of Gaza.

However, Egypt has kept communication channels open with Hamas and has been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.