Blast strikes Palestinian leader’s convoy
JABALIYA, Gaza Strip — A roadside bomb on Tuesday struck the convoy of the Palestinian prime minister during a rare visit to the Gaza Strip, causing no serious injuries but throwing an already troubled reconciliation process into deeper turmoil.
Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had just arrived from his West Bank headquarters to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a water-treatment plant when the bomb went off. Palestinian officials accused Gaza militants of trying to assassinate Hamdallah. Gaza’s ruling Hamas group denied involvement.
The blast took place at a time of deadlock between Hamdallah’s Fatah party and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since ousting Fatah forces in 2007.
Hamdallah, who was appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas five years ago,
said the attack underscored the need for the Palestinians to unify under a single authority. Hamas has ceded some government functions and control of Gaza’s borders, but it has refused calls to disarm and let Palestinian Authority security forces take over.
“How can a government overtake Gaza without maintaining security? We ask Hamas one more time to empower the government,” he said.
Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a crime and an attempt to “hurt efforts to achieve unity and reconciliation.”
It promised an “urgent” investigation.
Witnesses said the bomb was planted under an electric pole on Gaza’s main north-south road and went off shortly after Hamdallah’s 20-vehicle convoy had entered through the Israeli-controlled crossing.