Palestinian gunmen (Archive photo)
Photo: AP
Palestinians wounded by Gaza roadside bomb
Nine Palestinians, including members of Hamas-led security force, injured by roadside bomb; hospital says three of them in a critical condition
Nine Palestinians, including members of a Hamas-led security force, were wounded by a roadside bomb in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and three of them were in a critical condition, hospital officials said.
Earlier, Hamas police spokesman Islam Shahwan said one Palestinian had been killed in the blast, but hospital officials later said the man remained in a critical condition. A further two were critically wounded.
Bystanders were among the wounded and included two children, hospital officials added.
Shahwan said the blast was detonated while a jeep carrying six members of a Hamas-led security force passed by.
"We have uncovered the wire used in detonating the bomb," he said.
No one claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place in northern Gaza.
At least 30 Palestinians have been killed in fighting between rival groups Hamas and Fatah since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called last month for early presidential and parliamentary elections.
Earlier this week, Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah resumed talks on forming a coalition government. Similar talks broke down last year.
Hamas has struggled to govern since taking office in March under the weight of US-led sanctions imposed because of its refusal to recognise Israel, renounce violence and abide by interim peace deals.
Fatah's Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal held inconclusive unity talks in Damascus this week.
