The European Commission on Thursday suspended its humanitarian aid projects in the Gaza Strip, citing the escalating violence.
"I fervently hope that the projects can resume very soon," said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel.
EU humanitarian operations in both Gaza and the West Bank totaled 84 million euros ($110 million) last year. So far this year, it has earmarked 60 million euros ($80 million).
Hamas gunmen at Preventive Security Service building (Photo: AFP)
Hamas gunmen on Thursday afternoon completed the takeover
of the central building of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service's headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas members took over vehicles and weapons in the compound, which is considered the Palestinian Authority's main symbol in the Strip. The Preventive Security Service cooperated with Israel
in the past and is identified with Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan.
Hamas members held a prayer in the compound, which they referred to as the "heresy compound." Hamas also changed the name of the neighborhood where the building is located from "Tel al-Hawa" to "Tel al-Islam."
Hamas' media outlets threatened to reach Fatah and the PA's official radio and telelvision stations, and provided the names of senior Fatah officials they planned to execute. "We will reach you," Hamas members told the Fatah leaders.
Meanwhile, the gunmen collected weapons and ammunitions from the Fatah members' homes and from families affiliated with them.
"This is the first step in the establishment of the Islamic state," a Hamas member told Ynet from inside the Preventive Security Service building. "This is Islam's victory, Allah's victory, and we pray to Allah for brining us this victory."
Hamas officials announced that the building would turn into a college for religion studies, and that the Sariya – the PA's government office building – would turn into a large religious center.
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