Israeli airstrike kills 3 Palestinians in western Gaza: medics

GAZA - Three Palestinians were killed on Monday in an Israeli airstrike as tension between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza Strip continued for the eighth day, medical source said.

The sources said that Israeli fighter jets struck with two missiles a car in western Gaza City, killing three people in the vehicle, adding that no more injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said that the three men were members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), adding that the car was on the main road near Gaza City's seaside.

On Monday, Israeli air forces launched intensive aerial and ground strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli fighter jets carried out more than 110 airstrikes on the coastal enclave, home of more than 2 million Palestinians, causing huge explosions and widespread panic.

They said the jets targeted main roads and streets, government security sites, and facilities belonging to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which controls the Gaza Strip.

They added that the aircraft also destroyed houses and infrastructure, most of which were concentrated in Gaza City, northern and southern Gaza Strip.

Ambulances and civil defense faced difficulty in access and movement due to the destruction of the roads.

In a brief statement, an Israeli army spokesman said that its combat aircraft carried out large-scale attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and PIJ militants have fired more than 3,000 homemade rockets at Israel since the clashes started, allegedly in response to Israel's targeting of civilians.

Gaza health officials announced that the number of Palestinians killed has risen to 197, including 58 children and 34 women, while the Israeli authorities said 10 Israelis were killed, including two children.