Mechanical digger works to remove rubble at the site of an explosion in the Al-Zawiya market, Gaza. AP

Gulf Today Report

A huge explosion shook the center of Gaza City, killing one person, injuring many others, and damaging shops.

The Ministry of the Interior in the Gaza Strip announced that the explosion occurred in the Al-Zawiya Market area of Gaza City, and led to injuries and damage, and added that the police, civil defence and ambulance forces were dealing with the incident, to evacuate the injured and investigate the causes of the explosion.

According to preliminary information issued by the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, that the explosion was caused by a fire in a three-storey building.

On the ground floor of the building was a gas filling shop — in the Al-Zawiya market area, east of Gaza City.

Palestinian media reported that the explosion caused great destruction in the Omar Al-Mukhtar street in Gaza City, and that police cars and civil defense teams arrived at the scene.