EXPLOSION NEAR FRENCH CENTER IN GAZA

Gaza City, 22 Shafar 1436 H/15 December 2014 M (MINA)– A Palestinian was injured late Friday (12/12) in an explosion that occurred near the French Cultural Center in western Gaza City.

Gaza police spokesman Ayman al-Batneiji told Ma’an that the explosion injured one Palestinian.

Al-Batneiji added that the Gaza police, explosives engineering and the criminal investigations department arrived to the area and opened an investigation into the incident, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

It was the second explosion that occurred at the same site in less than a month.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, saying that “the side responsible for such a criminal action does not belong to Palestinians as culture is a major part of the Palestinian identity.”

The statement added that those responsible for the explosions are “ignorant and do not appreciate the role of culture in the Palestinian national fight.”

The ministry said the “attack on the French Center was an attack on the Palestinian culture as well.”

The target of this attack was the recent strong stand by the French as a government, Senate, and people, the statement added.

The ministry, and on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, pledged to follow up investigations on the incident to identify those responsible for the attack and hold them accountable.

The Gaza Ministry of Internal Affairs said Saturday that an investigation to look into the details of the explosion was opened.

Iyad al-Buzm, ministry spokesperson, said in a statement that the explosion targeting the wall surrounding the center caused damage.

Al-Buzm added that security services surrounded the area and started investigation procedures. (T/P010/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)