Local sources said that Salafist activists, affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS), are responsible for the vehicle bombings.
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Explosions on Sunday destroyed five cars in Gaza belonging to members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, witnesses and a security source said, amid tensions between the Palestinian territory’s rulers and Islamist hardliners. There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties.
Three of the cars were said to have belonged to members of Al-Qassam and two to members of Al-Quds.
“This morning, saboteurs exploded several cars of (members of) resistance movements in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, causing material damage”, Hamas police said in a statement. Security forces are conducting an investigation and they are convinced they will find the criminals.
The press release did not point the finger of blame in any direction, but previous similar incidents have been blamed on extremist groups who have announced their allegiance to Daesh, which has tense relations with Hamas, which still controls the Gaza Strip.
Extremists in Gaza inspired by the Islamic State group have attacked Hamas positions in the past and have also fired rockets at Israel in an attempt to undermine Hamas by violating the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that followed last year’s war.
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A spate of attacks has targeted public buildings, officials, worldwide organizations and others seen as linked to the establishment in Gaza. The men were instructed to carry out attacks in the Gaza Strip and sow mayhem by blowing up cars.
