Two young Palestinian men lost their lives in an accidental explosion at a resistance site in central Gaza Strip, according to RT’s correspondent.
The blast took place at the Tel site associated with the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, located in Deir al-Balah. Soon after, ambulance sirens could be heard rushing to the scene.
The correspondent identified one of the deceased as Ashraf Hussein from Deir al-Balah, and the other as Ali al-Durrah, a resident of Al-Bureij refugee camp. Both were members of the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Earlier, Iyad al-Bozm, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security, confirmed in a brief statement the martyrdom of an individual and another in critical condition due to the explosion at the resistance site in the central province. The statement also mentioned that concerned authorities are investigating the incident.
Gaza Strip, a narrow piece of territory along the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Israel, has been a focal point of conflict in the Middle East. It is home to around 2 million Palestinians. Since 2007, the Hamas movement has been the de facto governing authority in the Gaza Strip, after a bloody conflict with Fatah. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist organization, largely because of its rocket attacks and suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians, as well as its charter which called for the destruction of the state of Israel.
The Al-Qassam Brigades is the military wing of Hamas. Over the years, they’ve been responsible for numerous rocket attacks on Israel, digging tunnels for military purposes, and engaging in various other forms of resistance against Israeli forces. The group has been subjected to Israeli airstrikes in response to their activities, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
Accidents, including explosions, at sites linked to Palestinian armed groups in Gaza are not uncommon. These could be due to mishandling of explosives, “work accidents,” or Israeli strikes. Often, such sites contain weapons, munitions, or other materials that can be hazardous if not properly handled. The tight blockade imposed on Gaza by both Israel and Egypt means that many materials, including weapons and building materials, are smuggled into the strip, sometimes under dangerous conditions that can lead to such accidents.
The region has witnessed several wars and countless skirmishes between Hamas and Israel. The most intense conflicts occurred in 2008-2009, 2012, and 2014. Ceasefires have been brokered multiple times but tend to be fragile, and the situation remains volatile.
The broader context involves the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which dates back over a century, encompassing issues like territorial disputes, the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and mutual recognition. The Gaza Strip, due to its unique political, economic, and military situation, often stands out in this longstanding conflict.
