Israel air strikes wounded two civilians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, at least six places were attacked.

The latest air strikes took place the day of a meeting of Quartet Middle East power mediators in Moscow and just ahead of a planned visit by U.S. envoy George Mitchell, who is seeking to relaunch peace talks in the region.

A previously unknown group, Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the rocket fire at Israel, as well as the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a wing of the Fatah movement.

Hamas, who took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, had been urging other groups not to strike Israel, voicing concern about Israeli retaliation attacks.

Two civilians were wounded in one of three attacks on tunnels along the border with Egypt. The other attacks included two open areas in Khan Younis and a metal foundry near Gaza City.

An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the attacks, Reuters news agency said.

Hours after the Thai citizen was killed, residents heard what sounded like a dozen explosions throughout the Gaza Strip.

Gaza's director of ambulance and emergency services, Muawiya Hassanein, said that officials believed the sounds were the results of sonic booms and not airstrikes.


Agencies