Main suspect in Gaza bombing dies from wounds: Hamas

Gaza's ruling authority Hamas said the main suspect arrested during a raid investigating the recent assassination attempt on Palestinian prime minister has died.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

22 March, 2018

Hamas police mobilise for a raid following an assassination attempt on the Palestinian PM [Getty]

The main suspect in a recent bomb attack against the Palestinian prime minister in the Gaza Strip died from his wounds on Thursday after he was arrested in a raid, Hamas said.

One of the suspect's accomplices also died following the raid that had resulted in a clash with Hamas security forces, the interior ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said.

Officials had announced earlier that two members of the Hamas security forces were also killed.

On Wednesday, Gaza's Interior Ministry said it was looking for Anas Abu Koussa, describing him as the main suspect. It is not yet clear if Abu Koussa was one of the suspects detained in Thursday's raid.

The blast last Tuesday that targeted Hamdallah occured less than one kilometre after his convoy left the Beit Hanoun Erez crossing in northern Gaza.

A second 15kg bomb planted 30 metres away from the first reportedly failed to detonate, according to Hamas security officials.

Hamdallah was not injured in the incident, which took place during a rare visit by the prime minister to the Gaza strip. However, shrapnel struck one of convoy cars and six guards were reportedly wounded.

Unknown gunmen also fired on the convoy after the failed assassination attempt. Hamas security forces promptly sealed off the area.

The security scare delivered a further blow to faltering reconcialition talks between the Gaza-based Hamas and the West Bank-based Fatah.

On Monday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas directly accused Hamas of carrying out the attack.

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