GAZA CITY, June 8: Israel launched an air strike targeting Hamas militants in Gaza on Wednesday as Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in the territory for talks aimed at preventing a fragile truce from fracturing. Four Hamas followers escaped unharmed when an unmanned drone fired two rockets on a car near the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis, with witnesses saying that they had fled seconds before one slammed into the vehicle.

“The Israeli air force targeted a mortar shell launcher and a vehicle carrying additional mortar shells, including a launcher that was used to fire at Israeli targets,” an Israeli military spokesman said.

Hamas said it later fired three rockets at Jewish settlements in the southern Gaza as an “answer to the Israeli targeting of the group from the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades”, referring to its armed wing.

The air strike came one day after two Palestinians and a Chinese labourer were killed in a Palestinian militant attack on a Jewish settlement in the southern Gaza Strip, claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

That attack had followed the death of three Palestinians at the hand of the army, placing unprecedented strain on a de facto truce observed by militants since late January.

Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who are set to meet again on June 21 declared an end to hostilities at a landmark summit in February.

The Palestinian leader appealed for calm from all sides, while also condemning the Israeli strike.

“This raid cannot be justified as it sabotages the calm,” he said.—AFP