Unknown attackers threw Molotov cocktails at the office of a Palestinian news agency in Gaza City on Sunday, causing damage but no injuries, the agency said. Maan news agency's chief editor Nasser Laham told AFP that fire bombs were thrown at the door of the organisation's office in Gaza in a pre-dawn attack.
"There was damage but the fire didn't really spread beyond the door," he said. The incident, at around 4:00 am (0100 GMT), came seven months after another apparent attack against the news agency.
"Maybe seven months ago, there was a home-made bomb placed at the entrance of the office," Laham said. "It was really dangerous, and we hid the news because the police said it would help their investigation, but until now they haven't given us any results." Laham said Maan had not received any particular warnings prior to either attack and said he believed the Sunday incident was "ideological" rather than political.
"Most of the Palestinian parties have denied responsibility for this and I don't think it's a political issue ... Some people just don't want freedom of speech."
Hamas police spokesman Ayman al-Batniji confirmed the attack on Maan's office.
"An inquiry into the incident at Maan's office in Gaza has been opened and the incident is under investigation by the police," he said.
Local and international human rights and media freedom groups have criticised the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas government in Gaza for harassing journalists.
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