Hamas arrests dozens after blast

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Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip have arrested dozens of Fatah supporters and set up checkpoints after an explosion killed six people.

A powerful explosion inside a car travelling past a beach in the Gaza Strip on Friday killed five Hamas activists and a six-year old girl.

At least 15 other people were said to have been injured by the explosion - the third bomb attack in a day.

Hamas's rival Fatah, which controls the West Bank, denied involvement.

Three attacks in 24 hours made it one of the bloodiest episodes since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 from the Fatah movement of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier on Friday, a bombing outside a cafe in Gaza City killed one person - reportedly the perpetrator - and injured at least three others, Hamas officials said.

It was unclear why the area was bombed, but there have been attacks on internet cafes, music shops and Christian institutions in Gaza in recent months.

Officials also reported a bombing near the home of Marwan Abu Ras, a Hamas politician and academic. No-one was injured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7526731.stm