Al Arabiya and MBC's Gaza offices were bombed last night, damaging the outer door of Reuters' bureau and adjacent commercial stores at the same time.
No casualties were reported.
According to Al Mezan's field investigation, on Jan.
23rd 2006, at app.
9:20, unknown persons placed a bomb outside the Gaza offices of Al Arabiya and MBC, located in Shorooq tower in Gaza City.
The metal door to the office was blown off in the explosion and shattered glass and broken furniture were strewn around.
The door to Reuters' office which is located in the same storey was also damaged.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
In response, The Palestinian Journalists' Union organized a protest in front of the Legislative Council against the attack.
In the recent escalation of the state of insecurity, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the attack on TV Channels' offices.
Al Mezan considers the attacks on news media a grave violation to the press, the freedom of expression and the access to information, all guaranteed under international standards of human rights and local laws.
Further, such law-breaking actions are leading to a more terrifying and insecure situation that could limit the access of journalists to the Gaza Strip.
Al Mezan reconfirms the responsibility of The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the cabinet to bring an end to the state of insecurity and maintain the rule of law - the only way to regain safety within the Palestinian society.
Thus, the Center calls upon the PNA and Ministry of Interior to take effective steps towards ending the state of insecurity and bringing perpetrators to justice, without which insecurity can only be expected to escalate.
END