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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
U.N. Beefs Up Security After Gaza Attack
2007-05-07
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Security was beefed up at the main U.N. compound in Gaza City Monday, with workers reinforcing the entrance gate and personnel inspecting the roof after a shadowy group of Muslim extremists attacked a U.N.-run school.

Sunday's incident, which killed one and wounded seven, is part of Gaza's out-of-control lawlessness that is increasingly aimed at foreigners. Most foreigners have left Gaza, and the latest attack on the U.N. was seen as a major escalation. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack in the southern Gaza refugee camp of Rafah, but security officials said they believe "salafiyeen," or Muslim fundamentalists, were involved. The group is believed to be behind a string of attacks on Internet cafes and music shops in recent weeks. It is not clear whether they are connected to any political party.
At this pointÂ…does it really matter?
The latest incident underscored the inability of the new Palestinian unity government, a coalition of the Islamic militant Hamas and the Fatah movement of ineffectual moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to end the chaos. Sunday's attack on the U.N. school in the southern Gaza refugee camp of Rafah began with a protest by Muslim extremists in long robes, who said a sports festival the school was hosting was un-Islamic. The U.N. "is turning schools into nightclubs," read one sign held up by the protesters. At one point, the group tried to enter the school. Palestinian security fired in the air to keep them away. In the ensuing chaos, at least one bomb was thrown into the school, and a gun battle followed. A senior Fatah official, Majed Abu Shamaleh, was leaving the school when his bodyguard was killed. Seven people were wounded, most by bomb fragments. Some children hid under their chairs during the fighting.

Police arrested two of the gunmen and were interrogating them. Later, the extremists tried to approach the police station where the two suspects were being held, to release the men. Police and gunmen from militant factions surrounded the station to prevent the extremists from entering, witnesses said.
And now folksÂ…for the comedy portion of the showÂ…Putcher hands together for AP's very own... Diaa "Shecky" Hadid!
So-called salafiyeen are known through the Muslim world as fundamentalists who try to imitate their pious ancestors and recreate the lifestyle of Islam's founder, the Prophet Muhammad. Most are peaceful, but some engage in violence.
[Rimshot] Hey...is this thing on? Just flew in from Raffah and boy are my Kassams tired... [Rimshot] hoe..heyyy!
A Palestinian intelligence official said the Gaza group appeared determined to attack all those who don't agree with its strict ideology. Other fundamentalist groups have existed in the same area of southern Gaza for years, but live in their own communities and peacefully preach their beliefs, he said.
[Rimshot] Heyy...hoe now! But seriously folks Don't forget to tip yer civil servants and clerics on yer way out...
"What's new is that this group, which seems to have developed a few years ago, believes in violence if they see things they believe is wrong," the official said.
[Rimshot] Heyy...hoe now!My wifes so fat she buys her Burkas at Gaza Tent and Awning...[Rimshot] Heyy...hoe now!
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he has an aversion to "suspicious objects” that send shrapnel to your chest and bullets that come from “unknown sources” was not authorized to speak to the press.
Posted by:DepotGuy

#4  Let the Salafis spread the word far and wide that SALADIN and other Islamic greats had standing orders that those whom wilfully harmed or abused women, children, and other innocents without cause, Muslim or Infidel, risked being put to death immediately.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2007-05-07 23:49  

#3  Oh yeah. don't "beef up security" at schools or anything, you gotta protect those very important bureaucrats!
Posted by: mojo   2007-05-07 14:24  

#2  Sunday's incident, which killed one and wounded seven, is part of Gaza's out-of-control lawlessness

I disagree. The perps are not lawless; they recognize and are trying to implement Allah's law. Violence in the cause of Allah is lawful, from strict Islamic perspective.

The U.N. "is turning schools into nightclubs," read one sign held up by the protesters.

Whereas these pious gents prefer to turn schools into crime scenes and slaughterhouses. Makes Allah happy, you see.

Posted by: Baba Tutu   2007-05-07 13:25  

#1  Local residents and PA security officials said the attackers belonged to a new al-Qaida group identified with Salafism - a school of thought that takes the pious ancestors [Salaf] of the patristic period of early Islam as exemplary models. Salafism is a branch of Islam that is often referred to as Wahhabi - a derogatory term that many adherents to this tradition avoid using. Salafis believe that Islam declined as a result of foreign innovations (bid'ah) and seek an Islamic revival through the purging of these influences and the emulation of the early generations of Islam.

Unlike Hamas, the Salafis believe that Muslims should not engage in politics. Instead, they argue, Muslims should stick to Islamic activities, particularly jihad, and promote Shari'a rather than an Islamic political program or state. The Salafis and other al-Qaida-linked groups, including the Righteous Swords of Islam, are believed to be behind a series of attacks on young women, Internet cafes, hair salons, restaurants, schools and foreigners in the Gaza Strip over the past two years.

"These groups have attracted many young men, including high school students, who are disillusioned with Hamas," said a PA security official. "They have killed several women in the Gaza Strip in the past few months after accusing them of being prostitutes." Last month, members of the group blew up large parts of the American International School in the northern Gaza Strip. The attack took place in the early morning and no one was hurt.

They are also responsible for the assassination of at least three Hamas representatives in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the same period.

That's al-Qaida for you, winning friends and influencing people world-wide.
Posted by: Steve   2007-05-07 11:47  

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