Six Hamas terrorists were killed in an explosion in Gaza in what appeared to be a “work accident.”
By: World Israel News Staff
Six Hamas terrorists in Gaza were killed in a massive explosion on Saturday in what appeared to be a “work accident” when a bomb they were preparing was set off prematurely.
The incident occurred in the city of Deir al-Balah in the center of the Strip.
Israel’s Ynet reported that the terrorists were working to dismantle an unexploded missile fired by Israel.
Hamas in a statement blamed Israel for the blast, calling the incident a “deplorable Zionist crime.”
“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 [holy warriors] in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip,” Hamas stated, without providing further details.
The Hamas casualties reportedly consist of high-ranking officers, including a commander of an engineering unit and a communications commander in the central division.
The Gaza Ministry of Health identified the dead as: Taher Essam Shahin, 29; Weesam Mahrouk, 37; Musa Ibrahim Salman, 30; Mahmoud Walid, 34; Mahmoud Tawashee, 27; and Mahmoud al-Qishawe, 27.
Hamas has reportedly banned local media on reporting on the incident.
The IDF has denied any involvement.