Dozens of Palestinians were injured in a large explosion in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, witnesses and medics said.

Medical sources said at least 70 Palestinians were injured. Fifteen of those were taken to al-Shifa hospital for treatment as a result of the explosion.

The Palestinian ministry of interior said the explosion happened during the dismantling of an unexploded F16 rocket left by the Israeli army.

Ambulances rushed toward the scene of the blast in the al-Atatra neighborhood of Gaza City, with black smoke plumes visible from a distance.

Locals reported that the blast caused an electricity blackout in the area. MAANNEWS