A Palestinian has been killed after Israeli soldiers opened fire from an observation post in the southern Gaza Strip not far from the border with Egypt, Palestinian medical sources say.

Muhammad Qashta, 23, died in hospital after being shot in the head and chest near Rafah in the occupied Palestinian territory, from which Israel is to begin removing all soldiers and settlers this month, the sources said.

Witnesses said the victim, unarmed, was shot outside his home as he was preparing to get married on Monday.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the army was checking the report.

His death brought the total toll to 4811 since thesecond Palestinian intifada began in September 2000, according to an AFP count. The vast majority of the casualties have been Palestinians.