Palestinian intelligence chief hurt in Gaza blast

GAZA CITY: The overall head of the Palestinian intelligence services was seriously injured and his bodyguard killed on Saturday when a blast ripped through the services' headquarters in Gaza City.

At least nine other people were wounded in the apparent attempt to assassinate Tareq Abu Rajab, medical sources said.

Rajab's bodyguard, Ali Abu Hassira, died of his wounds shortly after the blast, medical sources said.

"One person, Ali Abu Hassira was killed, and nine others were wounded including two in serious condition," Baker Abu Safia, the head of the emergency service at the Shifa hospital in Gaza City said.

"Rajab has been seriously injured, but his life was not in danger," Abu Safia added.

According to security sources, a bomb placed in an elevator went off when Rajab and his bodyguards were inside. The incident came amid heightened tensions between armed forces loyal to the radical Hamas government and members affiliated to Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, who appointed Rajab to head the intelligence services in April 2005.