JERUSALEM: An Israeli citizen and two militants were killed in an attack on the Egyptian border on Monday, Israeli media said.

Army Radio said an explosive device was detonated where Israel is building a border fence, killing one workman, and that militants had infiltrated Israel, opening fire at the site.

Three gunmen, initially believed to be Palestinians, opened fire towards a convoy of vehicles carrying Israeli construction workers to the place where they were building part of the vast border fence along the frontier, prompting Israeli troops in the area to open fire.

Initial reports said two of the gunmen were killed along with one of the Israeli construction workers.

A military spokeswoman confirmed there was a clash, but gave no further details. It was not immediately clear if the gunmen crossed through from Egypt or from the southern Gaza Strip.