Israel admits 'Gaza gunman' it killed was MSF nurse

Israel said on Thursday that a Palestinian killed by its forces in Gaza this week was a nurse working for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders).

Israel's COGAT, an Israeli defence body that administers the occupied Palestinian territories, identified the man as Hani Majdalawi and said he was shot dead on Monday after shooting and throwing a grenade at soldiers.

The exchange of fire came amid efforts to reach a long-term truce between the two sides.

Israel said it was seeking clarification on the matter from MSF.

The humanitarian group confirmed in a statement that Majdalawi had been killed but did not elaborate.

"MSF is working to verify and understand the circumstances regarding this extremely serious incident, and is not able to comment further at this stage," it said.

The group runs three burn and trauma centres in Gaza.

Authorities in Gaza did not confirm Majdalawi's death and said his body is being held by Israel, preventing an autopsy from being carried out.

No armed Palestinian faction has claimed Majdalawi as a member.

His brother wrote in a Facebook post that Majdalawi had bought a weapon with his own money and had acted "completely independently".

Israeli armed forces have killed at least 170 Palestinians in Gaza since March, when mass unarmed demonstrations began in the besieged enclave to protest Israel's decade-long blockade and demand the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Egyptian and UN officials were hoping to finalise the details of a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip after the escalation in violence led to fears of a fourth war.

The UN has said a continuing blockade would make Gaza "unliveable" by 2020.