The Israeli military says soldiers and aircraft have hit Palestinian militants planting explosives along the border with Gaza, The Associated Press reported.

The military said in a statement that it targeted a "terrorist squad" Thursday, Sept 6.

Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Kidra says three men were killed. Gaza farmers at the scene say they wore military fatigues.

An Israeli airstrike the night before killed four Palestinian militants as they were preparing to fire rockets at nearby southern cities, the military said.

Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers have observed an unwritten truce since a short war more than three years ago that Israel said aimed to stop Palestinian rocket strikes. Palestinian attacks have continued but at a much lower rate.

The rockets often trigger Israeli airstrikes. Israel says it holds Hamas responsible for the attacks.