Two die in Israeli missile strike

GAZA CITY - A car exploded in northern Gaza yesterday, Palestinian officials said, killing two Palestinians who were believed to be members of the militant group Islamic Jihad.

The other occupant of the car was seriously injured, hospital officials said. Two bystanders were also injured. Witnesses said an Israeli aircraft was overhead, indicating a missile strike.

The Israeli military had no comment, but Israel Radio said it was a "targeted killing" aimed at Palestinian militants. The blast occurred near a border area Israel has declared off limits to Palestinians to try to prevent rocket fire at Israel.

An Islamic Jihad leader who identified himself as Abu al-Walid said one of the dead was a senior field commander in the group, and the other was his aide. He did not identify the third.

Al-Walid threatened revenge against Israel. "These cowardly acts will not stop our resistance and our holy war," he said.

A witness, Salama Nasr, said the car was in the Jebaliya camp, not in the nearby no-go zone. The explosion turned the car into a twisted mass of metal and left a hole in the street.

Israel has been targeting militants from the Islamic Jihad organisation, which has claimed responsibility for all six Palestinian suicide bombing attacks since Israel and the Palestinians began a ceasefire last February. The truce officially lapsed on January 1.

- REUTERS