GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip— Palestinians say Israeli airstrikes against smuggling tunnels killed three men early Friday.

Dr. Salam Abu Salem of Rafah Hospital says the bodies of two men killed when missiles hit a tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border have reached his hospital. An AP Television News cameraman saw a third body being removed later from the same tunnel.

The Israeli strikes came in retaliation for a rocket and mortar barrage launched against Israel by Gaza militants Thursday.

The military says the sites targeted by its aircraft included a weapons manufacturing facility and another tunnel meant to allow militants to sneak into Israel for an attack.

Violence in Gaza has dropped but not ceased since Israel's devastating offensive in the territory a year ago. (AP)