Palestinian militant's car explodes in Gaza

GAZA, Mar 31 (Reuters) A car explosion outside a mosque in Gaza today killed a top commander of the Popular Resistance Committees, a group often responsible for rocket attacks against Israel, Palestinian security sources said.

The PRC immediately accused Israel of assassinating the commander, whom it identified as Khalil al-Quqa.

The Israeli army had no immediate comment. Israel has launched several recent airstrikes in Gaza targeting militants.

The explosion followed a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis in the West Bank yesterday.

Witnesses said the car was near a mosque in Gaza when it exploded. One boy was wounded by flying debris.

The PRC, an umbrella group of militants in Gaza, has refused to recognise a March 2005 truce and frequently fires rockets into Israel.

Quqa is one of two top commander of the PRC.

REUTERS SY HS1609