Scene of the mosque shootout
Photo: AFP
A Palestinian news agency quoted Gaza security source as alleging Fatah operatives assisted al-Qaeda affiliated groups to carry out a series of attacks on Hamas targets in the Strip.
A series of explosions targeted Hamas' security forces' buildings in Gaza City last week, supposedly in retaliation for the killing of the groups' operatives in a Rafah mosque shootout.
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The suspect confessed to planting the devices and reportedly told his investigators the explosives were given to him by a member of Fatah security forces, who was also arrested.
The also had security source in the Strip saying that, not only did Fatah assist in the attacks, it encouraged its people in Gaza, especially those working for news outlets, to spread rumors and exaggerated reports regarding the nature of the attacks, in order to confuse the local population.
Al-Qaeda operatives in Gaza had warned civilians against approaching Hamas bureaus several days prior to the attacks, hinting they may try to avenge the two-dozen deaths which were the result of an August clash between Hamas and rogue faction Jund Ansar Allah's operatives.
Jund Ansar Allah leader Abdel-Latif Moussa was among the dead.
The Israeli Defense Forces denied any involvement in the explosions.