GAZA CITY - The head of the Palestinian police escaped an assassination bid Thursday when a group of unknown gunmen burst into his headquarters in Gaza City and opened fire, a police statement said.
"The group of outlaws tried to assassinate the head and founder of the Palestinian police General Ghazi al-Jabali in his office in Gaza," it said.
Eleven policemen and bodyguards were wounded during the attack but Jabali "escaped from this cowardly assassination attempt," it added.
"This group does not want safety or peace for the people of Palestine."
Witnesses near the offices in downtown Gaza had earlier reported hearing the sound of gunfire.
"We saw ambulances enter the headquarters and take away injured policeman," one witness said on condition of anonymity.
Officials in Gaza City's main Al-Shifa hospital said 11 police officers and civilians had been admitted for treatment, one of whom was described as being in a serious condition.
There was no immediate word on Jabali's whereabouts after the incident.
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