Russia's leaders have expressed alarm over an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday in which three children were killed more than 10 others, mostly children, were injured.

In a statement on Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said, "Moscow is extremely alarmed by the Israeli military operations which mostly affect women and children.

"While sharing Israel's security concerns, we, however, believe the use of force against civilian population is unacceptable."

The Israeli raid on Tuesday targeted a car carrying Palestinian militants in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, but it missed the targets and killed three children.

Palestinian security sources said the three militants who narrowly escaped the airstrike were members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Fatah movement led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel has recently stepped up airstrikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip in a bid to prevent rocket attacks against the Jewish state.

Source: Xinhua