The death toll in an overnight Israeli air raid on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip rose to eight on Thursday, Palestinian medics and witnesses said.

Witnesses said that Israeli army backed by aircraft thrust into eastern Rafah town in southern Gaza Strip at predawn Thursday, killing at least eight and injured 25.

Palestinian medics said that five militants and three civilians, including a 12-year-old child, were killed by Israeli aircraft missiles and tank shells in al-Shawka neighborhood east of the town.

The earlier report said that five Palestinians were killed by Israeli army's predawn operation.

Local residents said that backed by intensive air bombardments, at least 50 Israeli tanks, armored vehicles and personnel carriers rolled into an area adjacent to Gaza International Airport east of Rafah.

Palestinian militants fired rockets at Israeli aircraft, tanks and vehicles in a bid to hinder Israeli army's process, according to the residents.

Palestinian militant groups also said in leaflets that they confronted the new Israeli army raid on Rafah with homemade bombs and machine guns.

Israeli army confirmed that its forces were operating in southern Gaza on early Thursday morning, saying that the operation came after its troops were targeted by a rocket propelled grenade.

Source: Xinhua