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.

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

An Israeli military spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

Israeli forces have been operating in Beit Lahiya and nearby Beit Hanoun since last week in a bid to beat back Palestinian militants who fire rockets from Gaza into the Jewish state. At least 49 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed.

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