Second attack on Fatah-affiliated radio station in four months

Reporters Without Borders condemned an armed attack today 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 aided 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.” Since Hamas came to power in January 2006, dozens of Palestinian journalists were physically attacked. Reporters from public media were attacked while covering Hamas events. Foreign journalists were also targeted. Six were kidnapped in 2006. Today's 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 taking off.