A group of Palestinian militants on Wednesday survived an Israeli assassination when an Israeli plane fired a rocket at their car but missed the target in southern Gaza City, witnesses and security sources said.

Witnesses said that the militants jumped out of their car shortly before a rocket hit a nearby place.

Security sources said the militants belonged to the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees.

No injury was reported, but the attack caused panic as it occurred in the rush hour near Gaza University area.

But the Israeli army said that it did not carry out an airstrike.

Israel has stepped up military activities against Palestinian militants, especially members of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) and the Popular Resistance Committees, as Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel have mounted.

Source: Xinhua