RAMALLAH, March 13, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian presidency condemned on Tuesday the attack on the convoy of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah after entering the Gaza Strip  and held Hamas responsible for what it described as “the premeditated aggression against the convoy of the prime  minister and the head of intelligence.”

It said in a statement that “this attack against the convoy of the prime minister aimed at efforts and steps by President Mahmoud Abbas to end division and achieve reconciliation.”

It said “whoever carried out this act directly serves the interest of the Israeli occupation, the main beneficiary from the division.”

It said President Abbas is going to hold several meetings in the coming days to discuss what it described as “this dangerous development,” while insisting on ending the division and achieving national reconciliation.

“The attack is a desperate attempt that serves the interest of those who want at this critical period to liquidate the Palestinian cause and to deny the Palestinian people their right to achieve freedom and independence,” concluded the statement.

Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh, had also said that the attack was an attempt to undermine the unity of the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, head of intelligence Majid Faraj, who was with the prime minister in the convoy, described the attack as “a cowardly act aimed at harming national unity.”

He said, “It is too early to accuse anyone, but those who are in charge shoulder the full responsibility for security on the ground.”

The prime minister’s convey came under attack after entering Gaza on Tuesday morning when the prime minister was on his way to attend the inauguration of a waste water treatment plant in the Gaza Strip.

Reports said an explosion occurred after the convoy had passed and that the last three cars in the convoy were damaged. Seven people were also lightly injured. The prime minister, who proceeded to the event, and the head of intelligence were not hurt.

M.K.