UPDATE - Israel destroys Gaza cross-border tunnel, killing 6

UPDATES WITH HEALTH MINISTRY CONFIRMATION

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA) - At least six Palestinian fighters were killed Monday after Israel destroyed a cross-border tunnel linking the blockaded Gaza Strip to Israeli territory, the Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed.

Another nine were injured, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the death toll could increase further as rescue workers clear the area in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah district south of Gaza City.

The Israeli military, for its part, confirmed in a statement that it had destroyed the tunnel, which, it asserted, constituted a violation of the Jewish state’s sovereignty.

It went on to hold Hamas -- which has governed the strip since 2007 -- responsible for what it described as “hostile activity”.

The incident comes only days before Hamas is expected to hand over control of Gaza's borders to the internationally recognized Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA).

The anticipated handover comes as part of ongoing efforts to end a decade-long political split between Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah, which runs the PA.

A key sticking point in ongoing reconciliation talks between the two factions has been whether Hamas will dissolve its formidable military wing -- a demand that has been articulated by both the U.S. and Israel.