Israeli airstrike kills Palestinian militant in Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY -- A Palestinian militant was killed in an Israeli airstrike Monday as he attempted to launch rockets at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip, authorities said.

Mosaab Zaaneen, a 25-year-old Islamic Jihad fighter, died in the attack in the city of Beit Hanoun, according to a spokesman for the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. Three other people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl, the spokesman said.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike in a statement. “The mission was carried out in order to eliminate an imminent attack targeting civilian communities of southern Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces statement said.

The killing was the latest in a string of strikes against suspected militants in Gaza. Israeli officials say the strikes are retaliation for a rise in rocket attacks on Israel. No Israelis have been injured by the dozens of rockets launched since January.

Abu Alouf is a special correspondent.