The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, strongly condemns the attack on a pro-Fatah radio station in Gaza by Hamas fighters on 2 February.

According to information before IPI, Hamas gunmen surrounded the Voice of Labour radio station in the town of Jebaliya in northern Gaza and fired rockets and automatic weapons at the station’s offices. The Voice of Labour is operated by Fatah supporters. The station’s broadcasting equipment was damaged beyond repair.

Clashes in Gaza between supporters of Hamas and Fatah, two rival Palestinian factions, continued this week despite a truce agreed upon by both sides on 30 January. More than 30 people have been killed since the start of 2007.

Commenting on the events in Gaza, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said, “The targeting of a radio station is an unwarranted violation of customary international law, which states that during conflict, attacks should be limited strictly to military objectives.”

“During times of violent unrest, it is all the more important that citizens have unfettered access to information so that they can be informed of ongoing developments. IPI calls on all parties to the crisis to immediately cease targeting media outlets and to ensure that journalists can safely perform their function of informing the public in this time of conflict,” Fritz added.