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ISIS Suicide Bombing Targets Hamas in the Gaza Strip

A suicide bomber dispatched by the Islamic State exploded his lethal charge at the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Thursday, killing a senior Hamas commander who was guarding the check-point. The incident is believed to be the first time ISIS has targeted Hamas in Gaza and comes as Hamas actively seeks to warm its relationship with Egypt. At the same time, ISIS is waging war with the Egyptian army, primarily in the northern Sinai Peninsula. The Rafah crossing, which is normally closed, has been open this week in order to allow pilgrims to attend the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.