Two Palestinian militants killed in Gaza air strike

Two Palestinian militants were killed in an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza on Tuesday, Palestinian security sources said.

The two were killed when one of the missiles fired by an Israeli airplane hit their car outside the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, the sources said.

One of the killed was identified as Hassam al Madhoun, a senior member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, an armed offshoot of the mainstream Fatah movement led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the sources said.

The other victim was identified as Fawzi Abu Quran who belonged to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), the sources added.

Witnesses said two huge explosions were heard just shortly before breaking the fast in the last day of Muslims' holy month of Ramadan, and many people then rushed to the targeted car.

Ambulances and firefighters arrived at the scene and took the remains of the two to Kamal Odwan Hospital in northern Gaza, they added.

Several onlookers were also wounded in the attack, Palestinian medics said.

The air strike was carried out shortly after Abbas' convoy passed the area. Abbas has arrived in Gaza from Ramallah for the breaking fast holiday.

Both groups have denounced the attack and vowed retaliation.

Israeli Radio reported that the attack was part of Israel's targeted killing of Palestinian militants, who have recently resumed rocket fire at Israel.

Source: Xinhua