A bomb exploded as Israeli armored military vehicle was combing near the eastern border of Gaza city Monday afternoon, witnesses said.

The witnesses, residents of eastern Gaza city, said they saw fire flames coming from near the vehicle which looked like an armored personnel carrier (APC).

Shortly before the explosion, Israeli shells hit the same area near the border where Palestinian militants have tried to attack Israeli troops with booby-trapped horses and cars.

The shells and the APC apparently were clearing the place from explosives the armed Palestinian group left behind. Four gunmen were killed this morning after the Israeli forces spotted the Palestinian attackers near Karni commercial crossing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2009)