The Israeli Air Force has hit targets in the Gaza Strip after mortar rounds were fired at IDF units near the border by terrorists reported to be members of Islamic Jihad.

IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, originally from the UK, said: "Terrorists must know that there is a price to pay when participating in aggression.

"Rapid reaction and operational capabilities are key to combating terrorist activities against Israel and our forces."

According to reports, three members of Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigade were killed in the air strikes.

The violence near the Gaza border comes as a Jordanian magistrate judge, Raed Zeiter who also holds Palestinian citizenship, was shot dead by IDF soldiers at a West Bank border crossing yesterday.

The IDF said Mr Zeiter tried to attack the soldiers with a metal pole, steal their weapons and then strangle them. But Palestinian witnesses claim the incident was caused by an argument over a cigarette.

Jordan's Islamic opposition movement has called on King Abdullah's government to cut all diplomatic ties with Israel in response.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel regretted the death of Judge Raed Zeiter and expressed his sympathies with the people and government of Jordan.