Palestinians mourn over the body of a Gaza militant killed in an Israeli missile strike, in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, Jan. 10, 2010. Israeli soldiers Sunday hit a group of Gaza militants in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah after they were discovered trying to fire rockets from the area. The attack left three militants dead, according to Palestinian medical sources and witnesses. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) Photo Gallery>>>

    GAZA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinians were killed in an explosion in Central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah late on Sunday, medical sources and witnesses said.

    The witnesses said that a group of Palestinian militants were about to fire rockets into Israel from the east of the town when a powerful blast rocked the area.

Palestinians mourn after three Gaza militants were killed in an Israeli missile strike, in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, Jan. 10, 2010.  (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar) Photo Gallery>>>

 

    The Israeli army told Xinhua it was checking if the explosion was a result of an Israeli attack on the fighters.

    Hospital officials said a fourth gunman was seriously injured.

    Meanwhile, security sources said an Israeli missile has hit the group shortly after they have fired the first rocket into an Israeli target beyond an electric fence that marks the borderline.

Israeli army confirms attack on Gaza militants

    GAZA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army confirmed the striking of a group of Gaza militants in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday.

    An Israeli army spokesman told Xinhua that the Israeli soldiers hit a group of gunmen after they were discovered trying to fire rockets from the area. Full story