Hamas leader killed in 'accidental' Gaza explosion

Another "accidental" explosion kills Hamas militant in the Gaza Strip.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

JUNE 8, 2017 13:23

Freed Palestinian prisoner Mohammed al-Bashiti, who served 12 years in an Israeli jail after he was convicted of being a member of Hamas’s armed wing, gestures as he holds a weapon in a pickup truck with Hamas militants upon his release, in the southern Gaza Strip, last year (photo credit: REUTERS) — Freed Palestinian prisoner Mohammed al-Bashiti, who served 12 years in an Israeli jail after he was convicted of being a member of Hamas’s armed wing, gestures as he holds a weapon in a pickup truck with Hamas militants upon his release, in the southern Gaza Strip, last year

(photo credit: REUTERS)

A prominent leader of Hamas' Izzadin Kassam brigade was killed Wednesday in an "accidental" explosion in southern Gaza, according to PA news outlet Ma'an.

The explosion occurred at a Hamas post near Rafah, injuring three other militants, according to the Palestinian news agency.

Hamas described Ibrahim Hussein Abu al-Naja as a prominent leader and said the source of the explosion was not clear.

This is not the first time militants have been killed in mysterious Gaza Strip explosions, with Ma'an reporting that numerous Hamas "resistance posts" have been destroyed over the past few years.

On April 26, an "accidental" explosion killed an Islamic Jihad military member during preparatory work in the site, the terrorist group announced.

The Gaza Ministry of Health later stated that another Palestinian was wounded in the same "accident."