Israel claims to have killed six ‘militants’ on Thursday in the Gaza Strip, saying that the Palestinians targeted in the two strikes were preparing to attack targets with rockets and bombs. Israel said that in one of the two strikes it had fired on a “terrorist squad that was planting an explosive device” near a town. Palestinian militants and the Israeli armed forces have exchanged fire in recent days as militants increased rocket attacks that so far have not resulted in any casualties. In another of the strikes Thursday, Israel said it has “targeted a terrorist squad … involved in previous rocket launches at communities located in southern Israel.”