An explosion targeted Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s convoy as he arrived in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday for a visit, lightly wounding seven people, officials and witnesses said.
Mr. Hamdallah was not injured in the explosion, which occurred shortly after his convoy entered the territory run by Hamas, a security source in the convoy said. Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj was part of the convoy but was also unhurt. A separate security source in Gaza said the convoy was also fired on by unknown gunmen at the time of the explosion. Hamas security forces then sealed off the area.
A statement on official Palestinian media said President Mahmud Abbas considered it a “cowardly targeting” of Mr. Hamdallah’s convoy and held his rivals Hamas responsible.
Mr. Hamdallah appeared on television shortly after the explosion as he opened a wastewater treatment plant in the territory.
The Hamas Interior Ministry confirmed there had been an explosion and said they had arrested three suspects as they began an investigation.
