UPDATE 4 - Blasts kill 2 Palestinians in Gaza

ADDS HAMAS LEADER'S REMARKS

By Mohammed Majid and Gulsen Topcu

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - At least two Palestinian police officers were killed and many others wounded late Tuesday in two blasts in Gaza City, according to the Palestinian Interior Ministry.

"Two policemen were killed and another was injured as a result of an explosion near a checkpoint in the Dahdouh area of western Gaza City," said ministry spokesman Iyad al-Buzm.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the wounded officer was in critical condition, without providing further details.

The Interior Ministry said in a fresh statement that many people were wounded in a second blast which hit a police checkpoint in the Sheikh Ejleen district of Gaza City.

It said the source of the two blasts is not yet known, noting a state of alert was announced throughout the Gaza Strip.

- ‘Gaza Will Overcome All Conspiracies’

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said everything is under control and the explosions will not be able to undermine the stability of the people.

"Gaza will overcome all the conspiracies. They will not be able to do what they cannot accomplish with war and blockade," Haniyeh said in a statement.

Noting that those who are involved in the explosions will be found, Haniyeh said the security forces are able to overcome any conditions.

*Writing by Burak Bir and Ali Abu Rezeg