UPDATE - Israeli tank 'accidentally' fires into Egypt

UPDATES WITH RESPONSE FROM EGYPT, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Said Amori

JERUSALEM (AA) — The Israeli army announced Sunday that it had "accidentally" fired a tank shell across the border into Egypt in the southern Kerem Shalom area.

"An Israeli army tank accidentally fired a short while ago, hitting an Egyptian site near the border in the Kerem Shalom area," the army said in an official statement.

It added that an investigation "is underway, and the details are being reviewed," expressing "regret" over the incident.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian army reported "minor injuries to border surveillance personnel due to shrapnel from an Israeli shell accidentally fired."

Kerem Shalom is an Israeli settlement on the border between Gaza, Israel, and Egypt. It serves as a border crossing that connects the three.

The incident is the first of its kind since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza on Oct. 7.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when resistance group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala