Suicide bomber strikes at heart of peace hopes

A large explosion rocked an Israeli army outpost in the Gaza Strip on today, wounding several people and threatening any peace deal with the Palestinians.

The explosion struck near the Kissufim border crossing in southern Gaza, rescuer workers said.

A settler spokesman said five or six people had been wounded by a suicide bomber.

The blast occurred shortly after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Gaza in efforts to persuade Palestinian militants to halt their attacks on Israelis.