Many injured in blast near army base

A large explosion went off today near an Israeli army base in the Gaza Strip, causing a number of casualties, according to paramedics and the army.

The number of the casualties is currently estimated at 30.

The blast apparently was set off by explosives planted in a tunnel dug near the base, said TV reports and Yeruham Mendola, a spokesman for the Magen David Adom rescue service.

“There are a lot of people injured at the scene,” said Mendola.

At the same time, the base came under fire from mortars and assault rifles, TV reports said.

The blast went off near the Gush Katif junction, close to the largest bloc of Israeli settlements in Gaza.