World Vision staff told to stay away in Gaza

World Vision staff told to stay away in Gaza

Just months after the formation of the national unity government, new clashes in the Gaza Strip have erupted, leaving more than 37 people killed and scores injured.

The World Vision office in northern Gaza has been closed since Sunday. According to staff, two people were shot on Monday not far from the office. For their safety, the staff have been asked to remain home until further notice.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may declare a state of emergency in an attempt to contain the escalating violence. With the outbreak of fighting, the independent Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmeh resigned, plunging the government into a new crisis.

Many of those who were killed and injured in the past three days were innocent bystanders, including a schoolboy. Schools, shops and businesses in the central and northern parts of the Gaza Strip remain closed, and a group of journalists were also caught for several hours in crossfire between the rival factions in Gaza City.

The situation in the Gaza Strip has been tense for more than a week following threats from the Israeli overnment to invade the Gaza Strip if home-made Qassam rockets continue to be fired at Israeli towns and Kibbutz surrounding the strip.

World Vision programmes are continuing as normal in all project areas in the West Bank. Its Gaza work will resume as soon as the situation improves.

ENDS

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