Gaza: Islamic State flyer claims responsibility for attack on French cultural centre

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for an explosion on Tuesday night at the French Cultural Center in Gaza City, according to an unverified flyer circulated Wednesday morning in the Gaza Strip

If verified, this would mark the first instance of an active IS presence in the Palestinian territories.

It has been pointed out, however, that the flyer lists the date of the operation as October 10.

IS said that it had placed 200 kilograms of explosives next to the building’s fuel tankers and electricity generator.

MEE contributor Mohammed Omer in Gaza, said that this “explained the massive damage” at the site.

The building in central Gaza city was set ablaze early Wednesday. Palestinian officials initially said that the fire, which ravaged the empty building, was caused by faulty fuel tanks.

Interior ministry spokesman Iyad al Bozum wrote on his Facebook page that a fire broke out at the French Cultural Centre "caused by faulty fuel tanks, the civil defence is trying to control it and an investigation into the circumstances is under way."

Eyewitnesses, however, told AFP that they heard two explosions that were followed by the flames. AFP journalists arriving at the scene overnight said that a fierce fire was in progress.

This is the first successful attack that Islamic State has carried out in Gaza, with the group now pledging to step up attacks.

No one was hurt in the blast. The building has been closed for the Muslim Eid al-Adha holidays.

The blast comes a day before the Palestinian unity government was scheduled to meet in Gaza for the first time.

Though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attempted to group IS and the Strip's current rulers Hamas together, IS have been hostile to Hamas, viewing the group as "apostate" and there have even been accounts of IS members burning the Palestinian flag in a demonstration of their opposition to the national liberation movement.