Explosion kills three in Gaza city

An explosion destroyed a house after nightfall tonight in Gaza City, killing three people and injuring many more, residents and hospital officials said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blast in the Shajaiyeh neighbourhood, near the border with Israel. The house belonged to a well-known family of Hamas supporters, the residents said.

Three nearby buildings were on fire, rescue workers said.

During more than four years of Palestinian-Israeli violence, Israel often attacked suspected militants in the neighbourhood, but such raids have been rare since a February truce went into effect.