6 Palestinians killed in 3 separate Gaza explosions
Hamas security arrested over 120 supporters of the rival Fatah group early Saturday, Fatah said, following a mysterious beachside blast that killed five Hamas members and a 6-year-old girl. The cause of the blast remained unclear, though the circumstances suggested it was not set off inadvertently by militants mishandling explosives. The explosion went off late Friday in a car parked near a crowded Gaza City beach. Hamas said that at the time, a group of Hamas activists was picnicking on the beach. Three Hamas members, including a field commander, and the girl were killed immediately. Hospital officials said two more Hamas activists died of injuries Saturday. Fifteen people were wounded, three of them in serious condition. If the blast targeted Hamas activists, it would be the deadliest such attack since the Islamic militants ousted Fatah-allied security forces from Gaza in a violent takeover more than a year ago. One Fatah member, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said supporters of the group were rounded up early Saturday. Gaza's Hamas government did not accuse Fatah directly of involvement, but was to meet Saturday to discuss the incident. The Hamas movement suggested the attack was politically motivated and called on Gaza residents to turn out in their masses for the funerals of the six, who will be buried following noon prayers on Saturday. "Everyone should understand that political freedom is guaranteed in the Gaza Strip, but that criminal action is prohibited," a Hamas statement said. "These crimes cannot pass. We will deter the criminals with strong punishment, to makes others think a thousand times ... before they think of committing such crimes." "The Fatah movement has no link whatsovever with these internal disputes within Hamas," a statement by Fatah said in response. "The claim that Fatah carried out these explosions aims to cover up the fact that there are disputes within Hamas," added a statement from Abbas's office. Friday's beachside explosion was the third of the day. The first went off outside the Al Jazera cafe, killing the assailant and wounding three people. The cafe had been hit twice before this year, presumably by hardline Muslims who target record shops and other businesses seen as symbols of Western influence. Later, a bomb exploded outside the house of a Hamas lawmaker, Marwan Abu Ras, causing some damage, but no injuries. A Fatah activist was arrested as a suspect. Gaza has been relatively quiet over the past month because of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that went into effect in mid-June. (11,58)
