(Adds detail on identity of killed)

GAZA, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Three Palestinian civilians were killed by an Israeli missile strike near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun on Saturday, medical and Hamas officials said.

Family members of the three men killed, identified them as an employee of a Jordanian bank, a former government employee, and a student.

An Israeli army spokesman confirmed Israel had conducted a missile strike in the area and said the target was a group of militants who were preparing to launch mortar bombs into Israel.

Israel frequently carries out missile strikes and raids against militants in the Gaza Strip in what it says is an effort to stop them launching rockets into southern Israeli towns. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Avida Landau; Editing by Stephen Weeks)

AlertNet news is provided by