Five Hamas militants killed in tunnel cave-in

Gaza, June 19 (IANS) Five Islamic Hamas militants have been killed in a tunnel cave-in close to the border between eastern Gaza city and Israel, a security official in Gaza confirmed Thursday.

The five killed, who were on a military mission in one of the tunnels early Thursday morning, belong to the Hamas movement's armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The tunnel was badly damaged after being bombed by Israeli war jets earlier Monday night, the official added.

Local media said that the five Hamas militants were killed in an explosion in the tunnel near Tufah neighborhood in eastern Gaza city.

Medics in Gaza did not confirm or deny the deaths, saying that they have not received any of the bodies in Gaza hospitals.

Al-Qassam Brigades has not officially confirmed the five deaths.