Gaza blast kills six Hamas gunmen

 

The brother of a Palestinian Hamas gunman, who was killed in an explosion, is consoled at a hospital in the central Gaza Strip May 5, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

 

GAZA (Reuters) - An explosion in Gaza killed six Hamas gunmen on Saturday, the group said. It blamed the incident on Israel, which declined comment.

 

A statement from the Palestinian Islamist group's armed wing called the incident a "deplorable Zionist crime" perpetrated against its fighters.

 

"During a complicated security and intelligence operation conducted by Qassam Brigades to investigate a serious and a grave security incident conducted by the Zionist enemy against Palestinian resistance, a deplorable crime took place against our Mujahideen in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip," it said.

 

Reuters television captured a pillar of smoke rising above the village of Zawayda near the coast of Gaza, far from the border with Israel where tensions have escalated in recent weeks.

 

The exact circumstances of the blast were unclear and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, provided no further details.

 

An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the incident, although a more junior official had earlier denied the army was involved.

 

Israel and the West designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

 

Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. But, citing security concerns, Israel maintains a naval blockade of the coastal territory, keeping tight restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and goods across the frontier.

 

Egypt, battling an Islamist insurgency in neighbouring Sinai, keeps its border with Gaza largely closed.

 

Forty-three Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces since March 30, when Gazans began weekly protests dubbed "The Great March of Return" along the border with Israel.

 

Facing international censure over its use of live fire in the protests, Israel says it is protecting its border and takes such action only when protesters, some hurling fire-bombs and trying to plant explosives, come too close.

 

As Israel celebrates its 70th birthday, Palestinians mourn what they call the "Nakba" (Catastrophe) of their people's mass dispossession during the conflict that broke out in 1948.

 

Two-thirds of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are war refugees or their descendants. The protests have seen thousands gather to demand access to their families' lost homes or lands, now in Israel.

 

Israel says Hamas is using the protests as cover to try to carry out attacks. Hamas denies the accusation.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-06

OK !

I believe the technical term is "an own goal".

 

Oh dear.

 

How sad

 

Never mind.

15 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"During a complicated security and intelligence operation conducted by Qassam Brigades to investigate a serious and a grave security incident conducted by the Zionist enemy against Palestinian resistance, a deplorable crime took place against our Mujahideen in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip," it said.

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. 

How about you rein in your hatred for jews and first consider the circumstances of this event? It is common practice when a terrorist bomb making site has an incident or when a terorist incendiary device detonates prematurely, to blame the intended target of the  explosives; Israel. Hamas has provided no information other than to pount its murderous finger. Hateful people who are looking for any excuse to  blame Israel and to spread hate take up the propaganda line.  

 

Nothing would make me happier than to know that Israel now has the capacity to identify Hamas murderers and to  terminate them before they can kill. If that was the case, Israel could easily wipe out terror cells. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

 

If I was a religious man, I would say that Providence has moved to protect the state of Israel. However, as I am more of a practical person, I am going with Abdul made a device fabrication error.

 

2 hours ago, Nickiboy03 said:

Let me guess you believe these vile people are Gods Chosen ... sigh

Your spewing of vile venom has nothing to do with this "miracle". Although not as grand as when Pharoah's army  was destroyed as they tried to recapture their Israelite slaves who were escaping back to Israel after generations in bondage,  but still a joyous event for those who would have been targeted.

 

And btw, you do not understand the concept of the  concept of "chosen".  It refers to the additional responsibilities and services asked of the jewish people, not of special powers and rights. It's core meaning is that jews are to be of service to others and to make the world a better place.   Common sense tells me that the concept comes out of the hardship that they suffered under multiple invaders and  expansionist empires. The people would ask, why is there hardship, and the  response was to turn a negative into a positive by saying that the suffering was for the benefit of others. It is not an unusual concept either. The Catholic Church taught the poor serfs that their suffering on earth was insignificant as they would be in a better place afterwards, called heaven, the suffering in silence helped them to heaven. The Vikings taught of Nirvana and that fighting a good war with death helped open the door to Nirvana. 

7 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

The Vikings taught of Nirvana and that fighting a good war with death helped open the door to Nirvana. 

The vikings were Buddhists - who would have guessed?