The prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) was scheduled to speak at a waste plant opening in Gaza when the incident ocurred. One PA leader has accused rival Hamas of responsibility.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah survived an apparent assassination attempt on Tuesday after a roadside bomb went off near his 20-vehicle convoy, shortly after entering the Gaza strip.

Hamdallah, who is a member of the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, continued his trip into Gaza following the blast to give a speech at the opening ceremony of a waste treatment plant.

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which left three vehicles damaged and two bodyguards injured. Hamdallah immediately returned to the West Bank after delivering the speech.

Responsibility unclear

PA President Mahmud Abbas accused rival Palestinian group Hamas of responsibility. But his security chief, Majed Farraj, said it was too early to say whether the militant group had been involved.

Hamas itself condemned the attack and said it was investigating three suspects.

Gaza, which is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory, has been controlled Hamas since the militant group ousted the PA in 2007.

Hamas’ troubles

Since then, Hamas has fought three wars with Israel and Gaza has suffered from a devastating Israeli and Egyptian blockade.