Hamas blames Israel for Gaza blast that killed six gunmen
Al Arabiya,
6 May 2018
An
explosion in Gaza killed six Hamas gunmen on Saturday, the group said. It
blamed the incident on Israel, which declined comment.
explosion in Gaza killed six Hamas gunmen on Saturday, the group said. It
blamed the incident on Israel, which declined comment.
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A picture
taken on January 3, 2017, shows the skyline of Gaza City
during the sunset.
(AFP) |
A
statement from the Palestinian Islamist group’s armed wing called the incident
a “deplorable Zionist crime” perpetrated against its fighters.
statement from the Palestinian Islamist group’s armed wing called the incident
a “deplorable Zionist crime” perpetrated against its fighters.
“During a
complicated security and intelligence operation conducted by Qassam Brigades to
investigate a serious and a grave security incident conducted by the Zionist
enemy against Palestinian resistance, a deplorable crime took place against our
Mujahideen in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip,” it said.
complicated security and intelligence operation conducted by Qassam Brigades to
investigate a serious and a grave security incident conducted by the Zionist
enemy against Palestinian resistance, a deplorable crime took place against our
Mujahideen in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip,” it said.
Reuters
television captured a pillar of smoke rising above the village of Zawayda near
the coast of Gaza, far from the border with Israel where tensions have
escalated in recent weeks.
television captured a pillar of smoke rising above the village of Zawayda near
the coast of Gaza, far from the border with Israel where tensions have
escalated in recent weeks.
The exact
circumstances of the blast were unclear and Hamas, which controls the Gaza
Strip, provided no further details.
circumstances of the blast were unclear and Hamas, which controls the Gaza
Strip, provided no further details.
An
Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the incident, although a more
junior official had earlier denied the army was involved.
Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the incident, although a more
junior official had earlier denied the army was involved.
Israel
and the West designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.
and the West designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Israel
withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. But, citing security
concerns, Israel maintains a naval blockade of the coastal territory, keeping
tight restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and goods across the
frontier.
withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. But, citing security
concerns, Israel maintains a naval blockade of the coastal territory, keeping
tight restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and goods across the
frontier.
Egypt,
battling an Islamist insurgency in neighboring Sinai, keeps its border with
Gaza largely closed.
battling an Islamist insurgency in neighboring Sinai, keeps its border with
Gaza largely closed.
Border
protest
protest
Forty-three
Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces since March 30, when
Gazans began weekly protests dubbed “The Great March of Return” along the
border with Israel.
Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces since March 30, when
Gazans began weekly protests dubbed “The Great March of Return” along the
border with Israel.
Facing
international censure over its use of live fire in the protests, Israel says it
is protecting its border and takes such action only when protesters, some
hurling fire-bombs and trying to plant explosives, come too close.
international censure over its use of live fire in the protests, Israel says it
is protecting its border and takes such action only when protesters, some
hurling fire-bombs and trying to plant explosives, come too close.
The
protests have seen thousands gather to demand access to their families’ lost
homes or lands, now in Israel.
protests have seen thousands gather to demand access to their families’ lost
homes or lands, now in Israel.
Israel
says Hamas is using the protests as cover to try to carry out attacks. Hamas
denies the accusation.
says Hamas is using the protests as cover to try to carry out attacks. Hamas
denies the accusation.
