A local Hamas leader in the southern Gaza Strip has escaped an attempt on his life which damaged nearby homes and left two children wounded.

The incident happened on Monday night when a car belonging to Yussef Sarsur exploded overnight, leaving its apparent target unscathed, AFP quoted witnesses as saying.

The car was reportedly parked in front of the Sarsur home in the southern town of Khan Yunis when it detonated, ripping into nearby houses.

Two children were wounded by broken glass, hospital officials said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.

The incident comes days after the Palestinian movement blamed Israel for the killing of its senior military commander, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, who was assassinated in Dubai.

Damascus-based Hamas officials said the co-founder of the Hamas military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed by Israeli agents on January 20.

According to one of his brothers, initial results of a joint probe by Hamas and the United Arab Emirates showed Mabhuh was killed with an electric appliance held to his head.

Hamas has vowed to avenge the murder of one of its leaders.

(Press TV)