(Adds Israeli military statement)

GAZA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - An Israeli aircraft fired a missile into a town in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, killing a 16-year-old Palestinian boy and wounding four other people, witnesses and hospital officials said.

An Israeli military spokesman said the air strike in Beit Lahiya targeted Palestinians who had come to retrieve launchers used to fire rockets into the Jewish state.

Witnesses said the missile landed near a school bus in the town. Among the wounded was a teacher, who was in a critical condition. The identities of the other casualties were not immediately known.

Israeli forces have been operating in Beit Lahiya and nearby Beit Hanoun since last week in a bid to beat back Palestinian rocket crews and gunmen. At least 49 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed.

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