Palestinian militant killed in missile strike

GAZA, Apr 27 (Reuters) An Israeli missile strike killed a Palestinian militant and critically wounded another today in the Gaza Strip, medical officials said.

Security sources said earlier the two Islamic Jihad militants were dead, and ambulance crews took the men to the morgue. But a doctor who examined them said they were still alive and sent them to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for surgery.

One of the two men, Wael Nassar, died shortly afterwards. The second militant was in critical condition, doctors said.

They were hit when an Israeli aircraft fired missiles at their car, which security sources said was loaded with rockets, as it drove on the coastal road in the Gaza Strip. The militants jumped out before the car exploded and fled on foot.

Moments later, a second missile was fired, critically wounding both men as they ran from the scene. A third militant who had also been in the car was lightly wounded.

''It was an air strike against a terror cell that was en route to carry out an attack against Israeli civilians,'' an Israeli army spokeswoman said.

The Israeli military frequently fires missiles from unmanned drones and helicopter gunships at Palestinian militants operating in the Gaza Strip, particularly bands of gunmen involved in firing rockets into Israel.

Israel has stepped up the strikes since it withdrew its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip last September.

REUTERS CH PM1438