GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian shepherd Sunday on the northern Gaza border, locals said.

Ijmei’an Abu Ihweishel, 19, was herding sheep when soldiers shot him in the leg, they said.

The young man was transferred to the Kamal Adwan Hospital for treatment, they added. His wounds were described as moderate.

An Israeli military spokesman said the army was not aware of such an incident.

Israel enforces a ban on entering the northern border area, which it considers a combat zone.