A Palestinian was killed and three others wounded, one critically, in an Israeli airstrike on a group of Palestinians in northern Gaza Strip on Monday, medics and witnesses said.

Witnesses said that an Israeli reconnaissance drone flew over an area in northern Gaza Strip and fired one missile at a group of Palestinians said to be militants planning to launch rockets at Israel.

They said that they heard a huge explosion, and then ambulances rushed to the area and took the body of a 23-year-old man and three injured Palestinians to hospital. One of the wounded was in serious condition.

The Palestinian side said that it was not clear if the killed was a militant. The Israeli army said it was checking the report.

Palestinian militant groups have been launching homemade rockets from northern Gaza Strip at Israel. Israeli officials warn that Israel would be obliged to carry out tough military actions to stop rocket attacks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on militants to stop launching homemade rockets at Israel, saying rocket attacks would bring disasters to the Palestinians instead of benefits.

Source: Xinhua