Ex-US president Carter criticises Israeli blockade during Gaza visit

Gaza City: Former US President Jimmy Carter has criticised Israel's blockade during a trip to Gaza, while encouraging the territory's Hamas rulers to accept international conditions for ending its boycott of the militant Islamic group.

During Carter's visit Tuesday, Hamas security found what appeared to be explosives buried in a sand dune next to his route. No one was hurt, and it was unclear if the former US president was being targeted.

Speaking at a graduation for students from United Nations-run schools in Gaza City, Carter criticised the Gaza blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas took control, saying Gazans "are treated more like animals than human beings."