Palestinian witnesses say an Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip has wounded five Palestinian civilians, including at least one baby.

A wounded Palestinian child is carried at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday 21 May 2008

The Israeli military confirmed Wednesday's attack, saying it targeted militants that had just fired rockets into Israel.

A similar air strike by Israel on Tuesday killed two Hamas fighters and two Palestinian civilians.

Israel conducts almost daily raids in Gaza that it says are aimed at stopping militants from firing rockets into Israel. 

Meanwhile, Israel announced plans to build 286 new homes in a Jewish settlement, Beitar Illit, in the West Bank, despite international calls to freeze such activity.

Israel's Housing Ministry says the construction is aimed at addressing Jerusalem's natural growth and the housing needs of young religious families.

The U.S.-backed road map to Israeli-Palestinian peace calls for a complete freeze in settlement activity.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.