Israeli troops shot and killed three militants from the Islamic Jihad group near the Israel-Gaza border fence today.

In his first public address since Israel began its offensive into the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas today said his government would not cave into Israeli demands but said he was working hard to end a five-day-old crisis with Israel.

Violence has flared in Gaza against the background of internal clashes between the new Hamas-led government and loyalists of the defeated Fatah, despite efforts to cool tempers.

Israeli troops will impose an “aerial siege” on parts of Gaza, shooting from helicopters or gunboats at anyone entering a “no-go zone” near the border, as part of a new campaign against Palestinian militants firing rockets at Israeli towns, a senior defence official said today.

Israeli security forces clashed early today with Jewish settlers trying to break a blockade placed on Gaza Strip settlements, a preview to confrontations expected later in the day when opponents to a planned withdrawal from Gaza try to march to the coastal area despite a police ban.

A Palestinian anti-tank missile struck a vehicle at an Israel-Gaza border crossing today, wounding one Israeli, Israeli military officials said.