Israel strike on Gaza kills two Palestinians

An Israel Air Force strike killed two Palestinians on an area east of the northern town of Beit Hanun in the Gaza Strip around noon Wednesday .

Medics said two persons were killed and three others were seriously injured in the attack. The health ministry in Gaza said one of the three was pronounced "clinically dead."

The Palestinians identified one of the victim as 23 year old Muhammed Shaker Abu Oda.

An Israeli military official told radio Israel that the attack targeted a "terrorist squad" planting an explosive device on the border.

Palestinian sources in the Gaza reported that Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at a resistance cell east of the northern town of Beit Hanoun. In addition, they said, IDF tanks fired 10 shells at the same target.

Medics said ambulances were not able to reach the scene due to the continuous fire and heavy shooting. One of the ambulances suffered damage, according to health officials.

A statement from the Israeli army confirmed the attack and said it targeted "a terrorist squad that was planting an explosive device near the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip. Hits were confirmed."

The statement continued: "An explosion was identified, originating from the explosive device the terrorists attempted to plant near the security fence with the intention of harming Israeli soldiers."

Earlier, Israeli military forces fired shells at northern Gaza on Wednesday.

Witnesses said that three loud explosions were heard in the al-Ghoul area of Beit Lahiya on Friday evening. No injuries were reported.

An Israeli army spokesman said that there were no immediate reports of the incident.

Overnight Tuesday, Israeli forces fired on the central Gaza Strip injuring two people, medics said.

UPDATE

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for a projectile fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, a statement said.

Israeli news site Ynet reported earlier on Wednesday that a projectile had exploded south of Ashkelon, with no reported injuries.