A Palestinian shepherd died of serious wound late Thursday after he was shot by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza-Israel border in the morning, accordign to medic sources.

The shepherd was injured along with three other Palestinians in two separate Israeli shootings in a restricted area declared by Israel.

Tens of Palestinians were injured and some were killed in the 300-meter-wide buffer zone along Gaza's northern and eastern borders with Israel.

Most of Palestinians who enter that area are farmers going to their lands, and shepherds and workers collecting gravel from the rubble of former Jewish settlements.

The Palestinian's death comes amid increasing tensions as Palestinian officials warn of a possible Israeli military operation in Gaza.