ISIS terrorists suspected in Gaza car bombings

In an apparent escalation of infighting among terror groups, ISIS loyalists allegedly blew up  six Hamas-owned cars in Gaza.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

Six car bombs were detonated simultaneously in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City on Sunday morning, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.

There were no deaths, although a number of residents were wounded and the explosions caused some damage.

Graffiti on a wall near the bombings read “Daesh,” the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization, possibly pointing to the culprits. However, no group has yet to take responsibility for the series of attacks.

Three of the cars were reportedly owned by members of Hamas, which rules Gaza, and the other two are owned by members of the Islamic Jihad terror organization.

Hamas officials announced the launching of an investigation into the bombings.

Civil War in Gaza?

Hamas and ISIS have been waging a low-key war in Gaza over recent months.

Hamas perceives ISIS’ growing presence in Gaza as a threat to its control of the Strip and has arrested dozens of its supporters. Hamas blames local ISIS loyalists for a recent string of explosions that have targeted Hamas security posts.

ISIS sees Hamas as a heretical group, accusing them of being soft on Israel and failing to impose Sharia Muslim religious law. ISIS seems to have plans to defeat Hamas and gain control of the Strip, thus broadening its caliphate in the Middle East.

To this end, ISIS fired rockets at Israel in order to pressure Hamas and attacked Hamas targets in Gaza.

Last month Hamas forces killed an ISIS supporter while attempting to arrest him. The shooting came hours after ISIS loyalists gave Hamas a 24-hour ultimatum to release those arrested in connection with ISIS and end its crackdown on the terror group.