Five Palestinians killed in Gaza

GAZA CITY - Israel killed five militants in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip Tuesday, as Palestinian militias escalated their attacks a day after the Israeli navy killed nine pro-Palestinian activists in a raid on an aid flotilla bound for the blockaded enclave.

Two militants who tried to cross into Israel from the south of the Strip were shot dead by Israeli soldiers, after they were spotted crossing the heavily-patrolled border.

Residents of Israeli communities were ordered to remain in their homes and some roads in the area were also closed to traffic.

Hours later, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinians as they were launching rockets at Israel. A spokesman for the radical Popular Resistance Committee said in a statement sent to journalists that the three had been members of the group’s armed wing.

The Israeli military confirmed both incidents.

Two rockets fired at Israel from the Strip caused neither damage nor injuries.