Israel killed three Hamas fighters in two air strikes in the south of the Gaza Strip today, Palestinian officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said an attack was launched on people wearing military style clothing in an area from which rockets had just been fired towards Israel.
In the second incident, Israel targeted two men who planted explosives close to the fence Israeli forces maintain round the coastal enclave, the army said.
Yesterday, two Hamas security men were killed in an air strike that Israel said was a response to mortar fire.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June after fighting with forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Abbas has been in Washington this week attending US-sponsored peace talks with the Israeli government. He and Israel have ruled out any negotiation with Hamas.