An Israeli F-16 warplane has attacked the home of a senior Palestinian militant in the Gaza Strip but he escaped without injury just seconds before missiles slammed into the building, Palestinian witnesses say.
At least five people were wounded in what some witnesses said was an attack on the home of Mr Youssef Abed al-Wahab, a leader of the militant Hamas group in southern Gaza.
The witnesses said Mr Wahab bolted from the house near the town of Khan Younis immediately after hearing the sound of aircraft. The home was destroyed and four nearby buildings were damaged.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.
Hamas has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel and its members have been targeted by Israeli forces during the more than 21-month-old Palestinian uprising against occupation.
Earlier today, Israel said it had captured a Palestinian on a mission to carry out a suicide bombing and that its soldiers must remain in reoccupied Palestinian-run territory in the West Bank to prevent such attacks.