The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Gaza City

An Israeli airstrike killed four Palestinian militants early Saturday in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian witnesses and officials said.

Moaiya Hassanain, of the Gaza Health Ministry, said nine others were wounded in he strike, including two who were in critical condition.

Hamas officials said the dead included two of its men and two from another militant group who were on a night patrol east of Khan Younis, a town in the southern Gaza Strip.

The army said it carried out the strike after identifying armed men near its border with Gaza.

Israel carries out regular military operations in Gaza, targeting militants launching near-daily rocket barrages into Israel.

Israel began reducing fuel supplies to Gaza last month in response to ongoing rocket fire from Palestinian militants, and planned to begin scaling back electricity beginning Sunday.