Massive explosion targets CIA convoy

A massive explosion went off today near a petrol station in the Gaza Strip as an American convoy drove by, Palestinian witnesses said.

Israel Radio reported that members of the CIA and John Wolf, head of a US monitoring team, were in the convoy.

Wolf heads a US team monitoring implementation of a US-backed peace plan.

Reports indicated that the blast was in a car travelling in the convoy.

Israeli media said four people were killed.

One Israeli rescue service said Americans were among the dead, but the report could not be confirmed independently.

The radio said at least one person was seriously wounded.

Other reports said several Palestinians, apparently the attackers, were killed.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

The blast went off about a mile south of the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza, witnesses said.

US officials confirmed the explosion, but gave no details on the circumstances.