Palestinian gunmen attack empty tourist resort in Gaza

Dozens of masked gunmen claiming to be members of al-Qaida stormed an empty Gaza Strip beach resort this morning and blew up a reception hall, saying they were sending a message to a close ally of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’, witnesses said.

The attack came as Abbas’ Fatah party was set to resume negotiations with the rival Hamas movement on forming a coalition government. It was the latest in a wave of politically motivated acts of violence ahead of the talks.