Gaza City: An Israeli strike in northern Gaza today killed two Palestinians and injured four others, Palestinian security officials and medics said. The Israeli army said it targeted militants in the area firing projectiles at the rocket-scarred southern Israeli city of Sderot.

Members of the Hamas-allied Popular Resistance Committees told Hamas television that members of other group were firing salvos before the Israeli strike. The reported strike took place on the first day of a three-day visit by US President George W Bush to Israel and the West Bank.

The Israeli army said they fired a projectile from the ground but declined to give further details. In recent week, Israel has stepped up its airstrikes and tank-fire attacks against Gaza militants who fire rocket into southern Israel on a daily basis, including around 20 today, according to the Israeli army.

Hospital officials in Gaza confirmed that two bodies had arrived at the hospital, that of a woman and a young man. the officials said the dead appeared to be civilians. They added that four were injured, including some in critical condition.

Source : PTI