An Israeli air strike killed three Hamas militants and wounded another in the Gaza Strip earlier today, according to Palestinian medical workers and Hamas.
The missile strike targeted a training base for Hamas's armed wing in southern Gaza.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed there had been an air strike on a Hamas military position in Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told ministers this week he had authorised military action in Gaza, including the targeting of "manned military Hamas targets".
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The Israeli army frequently carries out air strikes against militants in the coastal territory to try to stop them from firing rockets at southern Israeli towns and placing explosives near the border fence targeting Israeli troops.