Top militant killed by Israeli air strike

An Israeli aircraft launched an airstrike on a car driving along a coastal road in Gaza City today, killing a top Islamic Jihad militant and wounding at least two other people.

The attack hit a Mercedes carrying Mohammed Khalil, Islamic Jihad’s top militant leader in southern Gaza, according to a spokesman for the group known as Abu Abdullah.

Health officials said one militant was killed and two other people were wounded in the attack. Palestinian Interior Ministry officials said two were killed and four wounded.

Atef Qatrous, 22, said he was leaving work when he saw a missile hit the car. One of those inside was decapitated and another was badly wounded, he said.

The army confirmed it had launched an airstrike.