Libyan rebels say a NATO airstrike has killed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's son Khamis and more than 30 other people.

A rebel spokesman said Friday the strike took place in Zlitan, a western town that has been the scene of recent clashes between pro-government and rebel forces.

There was no independent confirmation that Khamis Gadhafi had been killed. A NATO official at operations headquarters in Naples said the alliance is looking into the report.

Khamis Gadhafi has served as one of the main commanders of his father's military forces. His death would deal a strong blow to the Libyan leader's effort to quell a months-long uprising. Earlier this year Mr. Gadhafi's government said a NATO airstrike killed another of his sons, Saif al-Arab.

On Thursday, Mr. Gadhafi's government accused NATO of bombing civilian targets in Zlitan.

The government made the accusations through its state-controlled television station, a day after officials denied rebel claims that opposition fighters had gained control of the town.

NATO is operating in Libya under a U.N. mandate to protect civilians from attacks by Mr. Gadhafi's forces.