A mortar shell has claimed the life of an ‘Israeli' soldier when it was fired on his base near the Gaza Strip, a military spokesman says.

"A soldier was killed yesterday when a mortar shell hit his base near the Gaza Strip," AFP quoted the spokesman as saying on Tuesday.

According to him, the attack took place at around 9 or 10 pm on Monday evening.

'Israel' has launched fierce airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since Saturday, killing at least 355 Palestinians and wounding 1590 others.

'Israel' said its military offensive was just beginning and has vowed it would destroy every building used by Hamas - who controls the impoverished and overcrowded area.