Militants killed as airstrike targets car laden with explosives

An Israeli aircraft hit a car filled with explosives in Gaza City after nightfall tonight, setting off a huge blast heard around the city and killing three militants, witnesses and hospital officials said.

The Israeli military said the target of its airstrike in Gaza City was Majed Harazin, a senior Islamic Jihad militant in charge of rocket squads that have been firing at Israel.

Islamic Jihad said three of its militants were killed, and hospital officials confirmed that. Islamic Jihad said one of the dead was a senior field commander.

Islamic Jihad supporters gathered around the morgue and pledged revenge.

“The blood of our comrades will be the fuel for the rockets that will bring death and destruction to the Zionists,” Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Hamza told The Associated Press.

The Israeli military often targets militants in airstrikes, aiming for squads involved in daily rocket fire.

Hamas radio said the car was filled with explosives and warned people to stay away, but people crowded around the burning vehicle.

Witnesses said the initial blast was followed by smaller explosions after the car was hit while slowing down near a mosque.