Region | Palestinian Territories
Explosion at Hamas training base kills two militants
Palestinian militants accidentally set off a large blast while mishandling explosives at a Hamas training base in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing two of its members and wounding another, Palestinian medical officials said.
- AP
- Published: 15:05 March 20, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- The sister of Palestinian farmer Hussain Abu Abed, 61, during her brother's funeral in the southern Gaza Strip.
Gaza: Palestinian militants accidentally set off a large blast while mishandling explosives at a Hamas training base in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing two of its members and wounding another, Palestinian medical officials said.
Hamas initially blamed Israel for the blast. They later acknowledged the explosion was accidental, saying its men died while performing a "holy mission."
The Israeli military denied involvement.
Hamas security men kept photographers and TV cameramen
away from the scene. Dr. Moaiya Hassanain, a Palestinian
Health Ministry official, confirmed the deaths.
The incident happened amid new signs that Israel is moving
closer to a cease-fire with Hamas militants in the Gaza
Strip.
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