Israeli troops kill two Hamas militants in Gaza

Israeli troops killed two Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip overnight, the Hamas movement and the Israeli army said.

Hamas, which seized control of the coastal territory in June, said the two were killed near the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza. An Israeli army spokeswoman said troops shot two Palestinians trying to plant an explosive near the border fence.

Israel has stepped up air strikes and military incursions since the Islamist Hamas movement took control of the Gaza Strip. Militants often launch rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza into southern Israel.

Yesterday, three militants were killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes.