Israeli soldiers on guard at the Kissofim crossroad in central Gaza Strip. (Photo: Xinhua)

    GAZA, July 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The Israeli army handed over on Sunday to the Palestinian security forces the bodies of two Palestinian militants killed in a gunbattle in central Gaza Strip.

    Palestinian sources at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis said that the bodies were brought by Palestinian security forces to the hospital.

    Israeli security sources confirmed that two Israelis and two Palestinians were killed at dawn on Sunday when three Palestinian militants ambushed a settlers car and then clashed with Israeli soldiers at the Kissofim crossroad in central Gaza Strip.

    Two militants were killed in the gunbattle, and the third managed to escape.

    Three armed groups linked to Fatah movement, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committee of the Intifada claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Hundreds of Palestinians carried the bodies of the two militants on their shoulders and marched on the streets of Kahn Younis before the two were buried.

    The attack was the latest in the spate of violence ahead of the planned Israeli withdrawal from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip due to begin in mid August. Enditem