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Gaza blasts target Fatah

November 7, 2014

Palestinian faction Fatah has been targeted in an attack on the Gaza Strip. The bombings came just days before the first public commemoration of its deceased founder, Yasser Arafat, who died 10 years ago.

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Gaza Explosion Häuser von Fatah Mitglieder 07.11.2014
Image: Reuters/M. Salem

A number of explosions were reported by eyewitnesses and officials in the Gaza Strip on Friday morning. The bombs targeted homes and vehicles of Fatah leaders, causing minor damage to the surrounding area.

There were no reports of injuries.

It was not immediately clear who had carried out the attack, which rival faction Hamas condemned.

Palestinian party Fatah was ousted from the Gaza Strip by Hamas in 2007 after the minority party won parliamentary elections, which were then followed by violent clashes.

Current Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas entered into a unity government with Hamas at the start of the summer. However, tensions persist despite the step toward unification.

The blasts on Friday also coincided with preparations for a memorial commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death of Palestinian icon and Fatah founder Yasser Arafat. The November 11 ceremony will be the first public event in Gaza to mark his passing in a number of years.

Following the attack, Palestinian Prime Minsiter Rami Hamdallah reportedly cancelled a visit to the Palestinian territory which had been planned for Saturday, according to AFP news agency.

kms/tj (AFP, Reuters, dpa)