Israeli missile strike kills Gaza militant-witnesses

GAZA, May 29 (Reuters) An Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at militants in the northern Gaza Strip today night, killing one and causing several casualties, local witnesses said.

The dead militant was part of a group trying to launch missiles into Israel, two others were wounded, witnesses said.

Three other civilians were also wounded in the incident, witnesses said two were ambulance staff and the third was a radio reporter.

The Israeli army had no comment on the incident.

The local witnesses and Palestinian security sources said a special Israeli commando unit held a heavy gunbattle with the militants who were trying to fire rockets into Israel and that the troops withdrew under the cover of the helicopter's fire.

In violence earlier on Monday, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian gunman along the Gaza-Israel border on Monday, Palestinian and Israeli officials said.

Reuters VJ VP0350