6 Hamas gunmen killed in Gaza blast

Six Hamas gunmen were killed in an explosion in Gaza on Saturday, the militant group said, blaming the incident on Israel which declined comment.

In a statement, the Palestinian Islamist group's armed wing called the incident a "deplorable Zionist crime" perpetrated against its fighters.

"During a complicated security and intelligence operation conducted by Qassam Brigades to investigate a serious and a grave security incident conducted by the Zionist enemy against Palestinian resistance, a deplorable crime took place against our Mujahideen in the area of Zawayda in central Gaza Strip," the Hamas said.

A pillar of smoke rising above the village of Zawayda near the Gaza coast was captured by Reuters television.

The explosion occurred far from the border with Israel where tensions have escalated in recent weeks.

The exact circumstances of the blast were unclear and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, provided no further details.

Although a more junior official had earlier denied the army was involved, an Israeli military spokesman declined to comment on the incident.

Israel and the West designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. But, citing security concerns, Israel maintains a naval blockade of the coastal territory, keeping tight restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and goods across the frontier.

Forty-three Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces since March 30, when Gazans began weekly protests dubbed "The Great March of Return" along the border with Israel.

Facing international censure over its use of live fire in the protests, Israel says it is protecting its border and takes such action only when protesters, some hurling fire-bombs and trying to plant explosives, come too close.

Israel says Hamas is using the protests as cover to try to carry out attacks. Hamas denies the accusation.

(With inputs from Reuters)