Israel's air force bombed the Gaza Strip late Monday, killing three Palestinians, onlookers said.

The dead, three young men in their 20s, were transferred to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, officials said.

They were identified as Ala Abu Zbeida, Awni Abdul Hadi, and Muhammad Eid.

According to witnesses, the bombardment targeted the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, with one Israeli jet also firing a missile toward a house in the camp causing no injuries.

Israel's military said in a statement that its air force "targeted and identified hitting a number of militants preparing to fire rockets from the central Gaza Strip into Israel."

"The IDF remains committed to protecting the citizens of Israel and will continue to act against terror. The IDF holds Hamas solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip," it added.