Gaza, Sep 26 (Xinhua) Three militants were killed Friday in an Israeli airstrike in the eastern Gaza city, medics and witnesses said.

The incident took place in the al-Tufah neighbourhood of the city. A missile hit the car in which the militants were travelling.

The bodies of the militants and three injured civilians were taken to a hospital, Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters.

The militants were members of Saraya al-Quds, armed wing of Islamic Jihad group.

It was the first Israeli airstrike on Gaza militants since the 22-day war against the rebels ended Jan 18 in the coastal strip. At least 1,400 people were killed in the Israeli offensives.