The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Gaza City

An Israeli air strike killed three members of the same family, including a teenager, in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in what the army called an error, one day after the deadliest day of violence in the territory for more than a year.

The victims -- a 13-year-old boy, his father and uncle -- were killed when a missile hit their car in Gaza City, medics said.

The military said it had killed civilians "in error" while targeting militants.

"The Israeli army has recognised that during an operation against terrorists in the Gaza Strip a vehicle that was close to the target was hit in error," a spokeswoman said. "An investigation has been opened."

Israeli-Palestinian fighting has escalated since the two sides revived peace talks in November, overshadowing US President George W. Bush's prediction of a deal by the time he leaves office in January 2009.

Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal told reporters in Damascus on Wednesday that the Gaza "massacre" confirmed the futility of negotiating with Israel. "This shedding of Palestinian blood will shorten the existence of Israel and will destroy it," Meshaal said. "No peace with the killers and no security for the criminals."

Meshaal charged that the eight-day Middle East tour by the US president that ended on Wednesday "gave cover to this massacre," and he called on Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to halt the "absurd" peace talks.