Israel strike wounds two militants in Gaza Strip

GAZA, July 12 (Reuters) At least two Palestinian militants were seriously wounded by an Israeli missile strike as gunmen battled with troops in the Gaza Strip today, Palestinian medical staff and the army said.

Residents said the Israeli strike took place while an undercover unit was operating near the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said two Israeli soldiers had been lightly injured in the operation aimed at ''foiling terrorist actions''. She said troops had identified hitting a number of people and that they were still in the area.

Gaza hospital officials said two Palestinian militants were being treated for serious wounds.

The Palestinian reports said the two militants were members of the Islamic Jihad militant group and that fighting was continuing in the area in the early morning hours.

Reuters AE DB1044