GAZA CITY, Aug 18 (AFP) - Five Palestinians were killed and another five wounded when an Israeli helicopter gunship fired at least one missile at an open area in eastern Gaza City early Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said.
Another five people were injured in the strike, one of whom was in critical condition, they said.
Initial reports from Palestinian security sources said all the dead were members of the radical Hamas movement who were sitting outside in an area between several buildings in Gaza City's eastern al-Shijaiya district.
The target of the attack was thought to be a Hamas leader called Ahmed al-Shabari, but he escape the strike unharmed.
The Israeli army confirmed the strike, saying the airforce "had targeted a senior Hamas terrorist in the northern Gaza Strip". No further details were available.
The latest deaths brought the overall number of those killed since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian uprising, or intifada, to 4,241, including 3,243 Palestinians and 927 Israelis, according to an AFP toll.