Israeli Missile Kills Palestinian Militant

An Israeli aircraft fired a missile at a car carrying Palestinian militants Wednesday, killing at least one militant and wounding 10 other people, officials said.

The missile hit shortly after nightfall in the southern town of Rafah, said Moaiya Hassanain, a Palestinian Health Ministry official who confirmed the casualties. He said the car was carrying three members of the Popular Resistance Committees, a small group that has carried out numerous attacks against Israel.

The Palestinians identified the slain man as Mahmoud Arkan, a field operative in the group. Leaders of the Popular Resistance Committees said they would avenge his death.

“Our reaction will be painful,” said Abu Abir, a spokesman.

The Israeli army confirmed that Arkan, 29, was the target and said he had been responsible for several deadly attacks on Israelis.

Palestinian medics said three young children were among those wounded by shrapnel from the missile strike. They said the car was in a residential area crowded with pedestrians.

Israel had promised tough retaliation for a suicide bombing that killed five people Monday in the coastal city of Netanya, and officials had said targeted killings and renewed airstrikes were being considered.

On Tuesday, Israel closed crossings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, banning virtually all Palestinians from entering Israel, and arrested 15 Palestinian militants. Palestinian security forces also arrested 13 Islamic Jihad members in the West Bank.

The Netanya bombing was the fifth since Israel and the Palestinians forged a cease-fire in February. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for all of them, saying its attacks are in response to Israeli violations of the truce.

Israel withdrew from Gaza in September. It has pledged a harsh response to homemade rockets fired from the area.