Palestinian PM Hamadallah survives assassination attempt

GAZA CITY, Mar 13 (Agencies): Palestinian Prime Minister (PM) Rami Hamdallah survived an assassination attempt in Gaza on Tuesday, the Palestinian Authority said after an apparent roadside bomb targeted his motorcade.

The attack on the Western-backed leader, who is spearheading the Authority's reconciliation efforts with Gaza's dominant group, Hamas, happened on the day the White House is due to hold a meeting on the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

There was no immediately claim of responsibility for what one Palestinian Authority security official in Gaza said was a roadside bomb blast. Hamas condemned the attack.

Minutes after the explosion, the 59-year-old prime minister, appearing unhurt, delivered a speech at the inauguration of a waste treatment plant and pledged to continue to pursue Palestinian unity.

The Palestinian PM cut short a rare visit to Gaza on Tuesday after an explosion targeted his convoy, a source in the delegation said.

Hamdallah, who was not hurt, left the Hamas-run territory through the Erez crossing shortly after opening a wastewater treatment facility, the source said.

The explosion had gone off near his convoy shortly after he arrived in the enclave and lightly injured seven people.