GAZA, July 30 (Reuters) - Germany's ARD news network said on Wednesday it had closed its bureau in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to protest at the arrest of one of its cameramen.

Hamas Islamists detained cameraman Sawah Abu Seif last week during a crackdown on their Fatah rivals in the Gaza Strip after a bomb attack killed five Hamas militants and a girl.

Hamas blamed Fatah for the blast. Fatah denied any involvement.

"ARD German Television has decided today to close down its office in Gaza as a sign of protest against the arrest of our cameraman Sawah Abu Seif," said ARD's regional bureau chief, Richard C. Schneider, in Tel Aviv.

Schneider said Abu Seif had no party affiliation and called on Hamas to release him as soon as possible. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Editing by Alistair Lyon)

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