Radio Al Quds cited witnesses as saying that the gunmen belonged to the radical group Islamic Jihad, whose members have become the main target of Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks, launched in retaliation against frequent rocket attacks on Israeli towns bordering Gaza.
According to the Israeli military, since 2001 Palestinian militants have fired over 4,500 rockets and mortar shells at the town of Sderot alone.
Israeli authorities insist that until Palestinian militants stop firing rockets and mortars at southern Israel, no Israeli-Palestinian peace deal can be reached.
The Gaza-based Al-Damir human rights group said in its latest monthly report that more than 64 Palestinians, including civilians, became victims of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip last December.
