GAZA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian security sources said on Tuesday that Palestinian gunmen shot down a small Israeli aircraft in southern Gaza Strip.

The sources told Xinhua that the gunmen opened fire on the plane, which was dropped down east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, adding that it was transferred to the security bodies for examination.

The sources gave no further details about the incident.

Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adarei confirmed that a small drone crashed in southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli drones repeatedly landed on the Gaza Strip, either because of a technical defect or shot down by Palestinian gunmen.