3 Hamas members killed in Gaza blast
Car explodes outside Hamas security headquarters in Gaza City. Background of the explosion still unclear; Israeli military denies involvement
Three Hamas members were killed and two more were wounded after sundown Tuesday when the car they were driving exploded outside a Hamas security headquarters building in Gaza City, hospital and security officials said.
The blast went off on the Gaza beachfront near the Hamas marine police force offices.
The background of the explosion was unclear. The Israeli military denied involvement in the incident.
A number of eyewitnesses reported that the car was hit by a missile, and that the blast was an Israeli airstrike. Others, however, assessed that the car had been rigged with explosives, and the incident may be linked to internal Palestinians factional conflicts.
Gaza has been hit by factional fighting between Hamas and its main rival, Fatah. In June, Hamas militias overran the seaside territory, vanquishing the Fatah-linked security forces.
The blast may also have been the result of a "work accident" - the accidental detonation of explosives in transit.
The Palestinian Interior Ministry, headed by Hamas accused the IDF of being behind the blast. The ministry issued a statement saying that Israeli marine forces fired a missile at the vehicle.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
