Israeli security forces are still hunting the gunman who was reported to be in hiding at a house in Kibbutz Metzer.

Israel hits back after kibbutz attack

Israeli helicopters have fired rockets into Gaza City in retaliation for a gun attack on a kibbutz which left five people dead.

Earlier two Palestinian suicide bombers blew themselves up in a car when their bomb went off prematurely.

Israeli security forces are still hunting the gunman who was reported to be in hiding at a house in Kibbutz Metzer.

The attack came after Israeli troops pulled back from the West Bank city of Jenin after a two-week hunt for suicide bombers ahead of the arrival of a US envoy to pursue a Middle East peace plan.

Israeli military sources said rockets from a helicopter destroyed a metal foundry believed to be making mortar bombs in Gaza City early on Monday. No injuries were reported.

Earlier, police erected a checkpoint near Metzer, after receiving information of a potential attack being launched from the Palestinian city of Nablus.

Two Palestinians inside a car apparently blew themselves up after border police spotted what they said was a suspicious looking" vehicle and asked the driver to pull over.

Israeli media said one of the men was wearing an explosives belt, while the second detonated a booby-trapped bag.