THE Israel Defence Forces are investigating claims that a soldier shot dead two Palestinian sisters without provocation and critically injured a third during the three-week military offensive in Gaza.

The girls' father, Khalid Abed Rabbo, told The Age that on January 7, three Israeli tanks approached his home on the outskirts of the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza City.

Khalid Abed Rabbo stands by the ruins of his house. Credit:Jason Koutsoukis

He said a soldier in one of the tanks used a megaphone to order everyone to evacuate the house.

"There were 25 of us in the house, so we started to come outside as we were instructed," Mr Abed Rabbo said.