A ministry spokesman said the bodies of two men had been taken to a hospital in southern Gaza after the 11 pm (2000 GMT) Monday strike. He did not identify them.

The Israeli army said in a statement late Monday the men were targeted after planting a device.

"Terrorists suspiciously approached the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and placed an object adjacent to the fence. In response, an (Israeli) aircraft fired towards them," the statement said.

Separately on Monday evening, at least 26 Palestinians were shot during renewed protests in northern Gaza, the ministry said.

Since months of often violent protests began on March 30, at least 181 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.

The majority have been shot during protests but others have been hit by air strikes and tank fire.

One Israeli soldier was killed by a sniper.