JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces fired at a Palestinian who opened fire at them in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday morning, the army said, amid efforts to achieve a long-term cease-fire.

Local media reported that the Palestinian gunman was hit and injured but it was not immediately clear what was his condition.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that no damage or injuries to the Israeli troops were reported.

The border incident came a day after Israel closed the Erez Crossing, the main pedestrian passage between Israel and the blockaded Palestinian enclave, causing a violent protest on Friday.

Israel said the protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and explosives towards Israeli forces. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli forces killed two protesters and injured at least 241 more.

Egypt and United Nations officials are struggling to broker a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs Gaza.