Israeli aircraft attacked a group of Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip Sunday, killing one person, hours after militants fired rockets into southern Israel for a second day.

Medics say the Palestinian was killed Sunday afternoon in an Israeli airstrike along Gaza's southern border with Egypt. Israel says it struck militants who were preparing a rocket launch.

Gaza militants fired about 10 rockets into southern Israel early Sunday, while Israeli aircraft hit several militant sites. Israel closed schools within 40 kilometers of Gaza as a precaution.

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes killed nine Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza in several airstrikes. The militant group fired about 20 rockets into southern Israel Saturday, killing an Israeli civilian. It was the deadliest confrontation in and around Gaza in months.

Islamic Jihad said Sunday it was ready to renew a truce if Israel holds its fire. Palestinian officials said Egyptian mediators were trying to calm the situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is not seeking an escalation but will defend itself against anyone who tries to attack it.