A Palestinian militant was killed on Thursday night as an Israeli plane fired a missile at the house where the militant was hiding, Palestinian security sources and witnesses reported. They said that Fadi Abu Oweimer, 40, commander of the Popular Resistance Committee's armed wing was killed as the missile hit the room where he was in and caused severe damage to the house in eastern Gaza City. His group earlier claimed responsibility for firing two homemade medium-range rockets at southern Israel. The rockets landed in an open area and caused no injuries. Earlier Thursday, a local leader of the Islamic Jihad armed wing, Saraya al Quds, survived an assassination attempt in Rafah town in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said. Witness reports said an Israeli plane fired a missile targeting the house of Mohamed Sheikh Khaleel. The missile hit the neighbouring house and wounded at least eight civilians, six are from the same family, two of whom are children. Medical sources said that one of the four wounded is in serious condition adding that three others suffered moderate wounds. The missile caused severe damage to the house. Palestinian security sources said that it was the second assassination attempt survived by Sheikh Khaleel, after Israel failed two months ago to kill him as he was driving a car near Rafah town. Khaleel suffered slight arm injuries Thursday night and managed to escape, said security sources. --SP 0009 Local Time 2109 GMT
