Israeli aircraft struck three times in southern Gaza, killing five militants, after a day of internal Palestinian unrest with public service workers and security forces clamouring to be paid.

Israeli soldiers today arrested the head of Force 17, an elite force linked to the Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, members of the force said.

Palestinians are claiming one of their leaders, who narrowly escaped death after two missiles landed near his car in the West Bank, was the target of an assassination attempt.