Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinian militants

Israeli aircraft fired three missiles at targets in the central Gaza Strip today, killing two Palestinian militants and wounding several other people, Palestinian health officials said.

The army said the airstrikes were aimed at a cell preparing to carry out an attack. It did not identify the targets. It said two vehicles were targeted, and one was hit.

The Islamic Jihad militant group identified the dead men as Wael Nassar, 27, and Ahmad Abu Najam, 23 — senior field operatives in its military wing.

Pillars of smoke billowed from the destroyed vehicle as burned and dismembered bodies were removed.

Islamic Jihad called for revenge.

"God willing out reprisal is coming and it is going to be like air shaking," said spokesman Abu Ahmad. "We are going to shake the air under their feet. They had experienced us in Tel Aviv and more is coming."

Islamic Jihad, a small group with ties to Iran and Syria, claimed responsibility for last week's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed nine and wounded dozens.