(KUNA) -- Gunmen burst into building of the American School in the north of Gaza early on Thursday and opened fire in it before disappearing, according to local radio stations. The gunmen, upon arrival at the school, compelled the porter to stay in his room, before storming the main building and opening fire in the rooms with automatic guns and rocket-propelled grenades, causing extensive damage.
The radio stations did not reveal identity of the attackers whose assault coincided with a regional tour by US President George W Bush. Yesterday, Islamic factions declared firing rockets in the direction of Israel in retaliation for Bush's mission.
Management of the school declared that classes would not be open for the day as a result of the attack. Most foreign teachers at the school, including a number of American nationals, left Gaza early this year after some of them were kidnapped and faced threats. The school, in May last year, was damaged in bomb blasts that set fires and inflicted heavy damage. The school, located on the beach near the town of Beit Lahia, was opened in 1999. It is now run by Palestinian staff. |