Israel Matzav

Another 'Palestinian' work accident

This is what happens when you play with fire.... A 'mysterious explosion' work accident at the Rafah home of a leader of the 'Popular Resistance Committees' has led to the death of one shahid and the wounding of four more.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the explosion in the Rafah home of Zuhair al-Qaissi, chief commander of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) - an armed Palestinian faction that often operates independently of Hamas.

The PRC said Qaissi was not hurt in the explosion. The man killed was later identified by the PRC as Khaled al-Qaissi, a member of the group.

Zuhair al-Qaissi's predecessor, Kamal al-Nairab was killed in an Israeli air strike in August.

The IDF Spokesman's Office said an initial investigation indicated there was no connection between the explosion and any IDF activity.

YNet adds:

Five or six Palestinians were wounded in the mysterious explosion, sources in Gaza said.

Eyewitnesses said the huge Rafah blast could be heard far away and that the house was completely burned down. The initial explosion was reportedly followed by several smaller blasts.

The IDF said it was unfamiliar with the incident. Witnesses said there was no sign of Israeli military activity in the area.

The PRC later released a statement saying that Qeisi was not killed in the blast. The group said the explosion was caused by a malfunction and was not a result of an Israeli strike.

The Popular Resistance Committees were involved, among other things, in Gilad Shalit's abduction to the Gaza Strip in June 2006. Qeisi himself was interviewed by the al-Hayat newspaper following the Israeli soldier's release and claimed that Shalit was held "in better, more humane conditions than the conditions accorded to prisoners held by Israel."

You really shouldn't play with matches, boys. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Labels: Gaza, Popular Resistance Committee, Rafah, work accident

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:18 PM