Gaza City, Feb 16, 2008 / 18:07 pm
Muslim extremists are suspected in an early Friday attack on a YMCA library in the Gaza Strip, Cybercast News Service reports.
Isa Saba, director of the Gaza YMCA, said an estimated 10,000 books, some of them very old, were destroyed after an explosive device was placed in the Young Men’s Christian Association’s library before dawn on Friday.
More than 10 armed men reportedly broke into the library after midnight, overpowering and abducting the guards. The gunmen then returned to blow up the library.
Saba told Cybercast News Service that he did not know who was behind the attack, but he said he did not believe that the attack was targeted against the Christianity of the YMCA. He said the organization had never been threatened or attacked before Friday.
The YMCA has served Gaza’s Palestinians and Arabs for 55 years. It has an art school, a library, summer camps, and youth exchanges benefiting both Christian and Muslim communities.
There have been several recent attacks on Christian and Western facilities in Gaza, including a church and internet cafes. A month ago, the American International School in the Gaza Strip was attacked. Two Al Qaeda-style groups claimed responsibility.
In October, a Palestinian Christian Bible Society worker was kidnapped and murdered, reportedly for refusing to convert to Islam.
An estimated 3,500 Christians live among the 1.4 million Muslims in the Gaza Strip.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA