Hamas gunmen in Gaza (Archive photo)
Photo: AFP
Hamas gunman killed in Gaza City while handling explosives, health officials say
Officials in Gaza say blast at home of Islamist group operative Nader Abu Shaban killed him, wounded 16 of his relatives and neighbors
Health officials in Gaza City said Saturday morning that an explosion in the house of a Hamas gunman has killed the man and wounded 16 relatives and neighbors.
The Palestinian Interior Ministry said it was investigating the cause of Saturday's blast at the home of Hamas operative Nader Abu Shaban.
Hamas sources said Abu Shaban was handling explosives when the blast went off. Doctors said two of the 16 wounded are in critical condition.
Gaza gunmen frequently store and handle explosives in crowded residential areas. Such blasts have killed and wounded bystanders in the past.
On Friday a senior Hamas figure told Ynet that his group would not be surprised to see Israel exploiting its domestic political crisis in order to evade Egyptian mediation efforts on a Gaza Strip truce. The group is still waiting for Egypt's response regarding clarifications it asked for, the source said.
"It's clear to us that Israel is not really interested in a lull, but rather, only wants to buy time," the source said. "Israel will attempt to divert attention away from the embarrassing affairs involving its leaders through escalation in the Gaza Strip. We are preparing for all scenarios, yet at this time we can say that the chances of lull efforts succeeding are slim because of Israel's evasive games."
