Gaza: Explosion kills one, locals say Israeli F16 drops 'heat bombs'

A Palestinian was killed and three others injured in a car explosion in the Ash-Shati Refugee Camp adjacent to Gaza City on Monday, medical sources said.

Muawiyah Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Health Ministry, said an unidentified dead man was transported to the Ash-Shifa Hospital in an ambulance.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Sources said a charge went off inside a Volkswagen in the camp.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said “there was no IDF activity in the area.”

Separately, Palestinians in Gaza said Israeli F16 fighter jets carried out sorties designed to give the appearance of airstrikes, dropping what were described as “heat bombs.”

Earlier on Monday, residents said Israeli forces opened fire while operating in northern Gaza. The area where fire was reported was approximately 800 meters from the Green Line in the agricultural lands of Abu Sufiyah, according to Palestinian sources in the area. No injuries were reported.

An Israeli military spokeswoman denied the report, saying, “The IDF conducted regular military activities today on the border and did not open fire, nor did they come under fire during these activities.”

Meanwhile, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, claimed responsibility for firing a homemade projectile toward Israeli forces attempting to enter Gaza via the Nahal Oz crossing.

Israeli forces patrol inside the Gaza Strip along the border with Israel on a daily basis. There are frequent reports of Palestinians coming under fire simply for setting foot inside this band.

Source: Maan