Air Force pilot killed after ejecting from fighter jet

An Israeli Air Force pilot was killed earlier in the day after ejecting from an F-16 fighter jet during a landing at the Mitzpeh Ramon base in southern Israel, military officials say.

The navigator also ejected, but survived, an official says. It was not immediately clear what caused the pilots to eject.

The incident came as Israel carried out heavy airstrikes over the Gaza Strip, but it was not clear if the plane was involved.

The name of the pilot was not released.

The incident was kept under wraps by the military censor until the family of the pilot could be notified.

A picture shown online purported to show the jet nearly completely destroyed.

— Gavin Rabinowitz and Judah Ari Gross

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