​ISIS supporters claim attack on Hamas base in Gaza Strip

A jihadist group with ties to the ISIL has claimed responsibility for a mortar attack on a Hamas base in the Gaza Strip.

The group, calling itself ‘Supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL),’ said in an online statement that it fired mortar rounds at a base used by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ armed wing) in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on Friday.

Witnesses told AFP they heard explosions close to Khan Yunis.

It comes amid rising tensions between Hamas and ISIL in Gaza Strip.

The attack followed the arrest of a Salafist leader by Hamas last month. The organization claimed he was an ISIS supporter who holds vast swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.

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Dozens of other Salafi jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State were also arrested, sources in the Gaza Strip told the Jerusalem Post. They added that the arrests came following a series of bombings carried out by the Salafi jihadists in recent weeks.

Salafi jihadists also issued a warning to several top Hamas security officials responsible for the crackdown.

Earlier this week, Hamas demolished a mosque used by Islamic State supporters in Deir el-Balah. Hamas said the mosque was actually a tent which was used by the extremists as a meeting venue.