Gaza - An Israeli air strike late Wednesday night killed one Palestinian militant in the northern Gaza strip, medical officials and witnesses said.

An Israeli military spokesman in Tel Aviv confirmed the attack, saying it was aimed at a group which had earlier in the evening launched one missile at southern Israel, and was about to launch another.

Three other militants were wounded in the strike, which took place east of the Jebaliya refugee camp. The fatality was identified as Ghassan al-Taramssi, 23, a member of the Islamic Jihad organization.

His death brings to seven the number of Palestinians killed since Tuesday night, when an Israeli force entered the Strip to destroy a 250-metre-long tunnel being dug by the border, which Israel said was intended to be used to facilitate the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.

Militants responded to the Israeli raid by launching at least 35 missiles at southern Israel by Wednesday afternoon.

The sudden upsurge in violence marked the most serious breech yet of an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza militias, which took effect on June 19. (dpa)