Hamas: 2 explosions hit checkpoints in Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  – Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip say two explosions ripped through police checkpoints in Gaza City.

Palestinian Hamas masked gunmen stand guard around blood on the ground following an explosion targeted a Hamas police checkpoint in Gaza City, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Hamas’ interior ministry said Tuesday that two policemen were killed in the first explosion at a checkpoint in Gaza City. Two passersby were wounded.

Scarcely an hour later, a second blast occurred at a police post across town. It wasn’t immediately clear who was responsible for the attacks.

A Hamas health ministry spokesman initially blamed Israel, but later deleted his statement on Twitter.

The Israeli military said it was unaware of any action in the Gaza Strip.

The blasts came amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Israel restricting the gas supply to the Palestinian enclave on Monday after rocket fire at southern Israel. /gsg