Seven Israeli soldiers were killed on Tuesday in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when their armoured vehicle was struck by an explosive, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, said six of the soldiers' names had been cleared for publication, while one was still being kept confidential.

Also in the area of Khan Younis area, one soldier was seriously wounded Tuesday by weapons fire, the military said.