2 February 2007

Alert

Second attack on Fatah-affiliated radio station in four months


Incident details

radio station(s)

attacked

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(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the 2 February 2007 armed attack on Al Aamal, a Gaza City-based radio station operated by the Workers Union, which is linked to President Mahmoud Abbas's party, Fatah.

"The recent clashes in the Gaza Strip between Fatah and Hamas members were already making the work of journalists very dangerous," the press freedom organisation said. "Journalists are now also the victims of targeted vandalism aimed at silencing media considered too supportive of one or other faction. President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniyeh cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these campaigns of vandalism and intimidation."

The attack on Al Aamal's studios in the northern Gaza City district of Abderrahamane was carried out by members of the Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) and an official security force controlled by the Hamas government. Reporters Without Borders was told that RPG-type rockets were fired at the building, forcing the station off the air. Then gunmen stormed inside, destroying equipment and putting the antennae out of service. Fortunately, no journalist was injured in the attack.

Al Aamal was previously attacked on 12 October, when gunmen threw grenades at the entrance and ransacked the offices before fleeing.



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Fatah-linked radio studios attacked and destroyed 16 October 2006

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