The Israeli air force has bombed the house where two Islamic Jihad gunmen were killed earlier today. Witnesses said there was a huge explosion at Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. At least five Palestinians were killed during Israeli military operations this morning.

One man died when an Israeli tank opened fire. The man's mother, sister and brother also died, while another gunman died in a separate incident.

The army was hunting Hamas militants who had fired a Katyusha rocket towards the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Violence also flared in the West Bank town of Nablus, where the Israeli soldiers came under attack from stone-throwing youths during the army's biggest operation for months.

Israel confirmed 28 people were arrested across the West Bank overnight. President George W. Bush is due to meet Israeli and Palestinian politicians in the region next week to promote the peace process.

His trip will not include the Gaza Strip.