Arabiya TV office in Gaza damaged by blast-official

[Eugene]

(Reuters)

Arabiya TV office in Gaza damaged by blast-official
22 Jan 2007 20:14:26 GMT
Source: Reuters

DUBAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - A blast rocked the offices of Al Arabiya television
in Gaza on Monday causing extensive damage but no injuries, an official said.

Executive editor Nabil al-Khatib said in Dubai the television station had
received threats against its office but it was not clear if the blast was linked
to the threats.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22683775.htm

(BBC News)

Last Updated: Monday, 22 January 2007, 20:14 GMT

Explosion at TV offices in Gaza

A large explosion has caused serious damage to the Gaza City offices
of Arabic satellite TV station Al-Arabiya, witnesses say.

However, no-one was injured in the explosion because the office was empty
at the time, reports say.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which ripped
a hole in a wall.

A spokesman for the Hamas-led government denounced the blast and pledged
an investigation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6289003.stm

[oberliner]

1. Who do you think was responsible?

And what motive? Is Al Arabiya known for being pro-Fatah or pro-Hamas? Or neither?

[Eugene]

2. No guess but Hamas has been upset at them recently

according to this associated Press report:

Blast Damages Offices of Arab TV Service


Monday January 22, 2007 8:46 PM

By SARAH EL DEEB

Associated Press Writer

-snip-

Palestinians said the news channel has been under criticism recently from Hamas
for quoting Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas apparently using
the name of God. Haniyeh said he was quoting an official from the rival Fatah.
Journalists said Al-Arabiya staffers have been targets of death threats.

Palestinian government spokesman Ghazi Hamad of Hamas denounced the bombing.
"Despite the disagreement between us and Al-Arabiya, we reject this method and
we consider it unacceptable. I have urged the Interior Minister to find out who is
responsible," he said.

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6363635,00.html

There has been no claim of responsibility.

A militant faction from either side could be responsible. If you're not with them,
then you are against them. Everybody in the Middle East claims that al-Arabyia
and al-Jazeera are biased against them.