Updated 5.17pm

THE CHIEF OF an armed Palestinian group has been killed by an Israeli air strike on southern Gaza today, according to reports.

Militants said four other Palestinians were killed in the air strikes, including another top lieutenant. The retaliation comes after Israel blamed gunmen from the Gaza Strip for cross-border attacks carried out earlier today.

Reuters have named the dead chief as Kamal al-Nairab, leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).

Local media have claimed there was a sixth victim in the attack: a nine-year old boy, who was in the same house as the militants in the town of Rafah, was killed.

The strike comes just hours after deadly attacks in southern Israel, in which at least five people have reportedly died. A further 25 people were reported injured in the series of bloody attacks earlier today.

Gunmen opened fire at an Israeli bus that was travelling from Beersheva to the southern city of Eilat on the border with Egypt, marking the first major attack on Israel’s border with Egypt for several years, according to BBC News.

Israeli rescue services have told the AP that five people have died in the attacks backing up earlier statements from Israel’s military spokesman which said some people had been killed in the attack.

The New York Times carries reports of gunmen opening fire on an Israeli bus north of Eilat before fleeing with the Israeli Defence Forces in pursuit. Shortly afterwards, anti-tank missiles were fired at a private car.

In a third attack, a roadside bomb was detonated next to Israeli soldiers patrolling the border with Egypt.

Israel’s Channel 10 TV reports 4th attack by gunmen near border with Egypt, according to AP.

In which of the incidents the fatalities have occurred is not yet clear but the Jerusalem Post reports that a number of soldiers were among the casualties and notes there are at least 25 injuries.

The close proximity and timing of the incidents suggest a suggest coordinated terrorist assault.

More to follow…

-Additional reporting by AP