A jihadist group with Islamic State ties claimed responsibility for a Friday mortar attack at a Hamas base in the Gaza Strip. According to AFP, witnesses at the scene said they heard explosions at the base, close to Khan Yunis. Information of any damage or injuries was not reported. The group, which calls itself "Supporters of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Jerusalem," said in an online statement that the rockets it fired were aimed at a base occupied by Hamas’s armed wing, Izzadin Kassam. The attack comes amid mounting tensions between Hamas and Islamic State supporters in the Gaza Strip. Hamas arrested dozens of Salafi-jihadists who are affiliated with Islamic State, sources in the Gaza Strip said on Thursday. They said the arrests came following a series of bombings, which were reportedly carried out by the Salafi-jihadists in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, Hamas demolished a mosque frequented by Islamic State supporters in Deir el-Balah. Hamas said that the mosque was a tent, and not a concrete structure, that was used by the extremists as a meeting venue. Islamic State supporters have accused Hamas of waging a massive crackdown on their men. They issued a warning to Hamas to release the arrested men within 72 hours or face the repercussions of its actions. The Salafi-jihadists also issued a warning to several top Hamas security officials in the Gaza Strip who are responsible for the crackdown.
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