Medics say Israeli strike kills 2 Palestinians in Gaza

GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli air strike on a car killed at least two Palestinian militants in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Friday, security officials and medical staff said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was checking the report.

Israel frequently carries out strikes against Gaza militants in an effort to stop them launching rockets and mortar bombs across the border into nearby towns in the Jewish state.

Rafah became the focus of international attention on Wednesday when tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into Egypt from the Gaza Strip to stock up on food and fuel which is in short supply due to an Israeli blockade.

The border wall was breached in a series of explosions. Israel stepped up a blockade on the coastal territory which is controlled by Islamist Hamas, in an effort to clamp down on the militants.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Giles Elgood)