Ref: 164/2014
Date: 13 December 2014
Time: 11:10 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns targeting the external fence of the French Cultural Center in Gaza City with an explosive device. This is the second time that the French Cultural Center was targeted in two months. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority (PA) to open serious investigations into these attacks and bring the perpetrators before justice. PCHR further warns of returning to the state of security chaos.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at 21:08 on Friday, 12 December 2014, a heavy explosion was heard throughout Gaza City. It turned out that the explosion was caused by an explosive device that unknown persons detonated at the southeastern side of the fence of the French Cultural Center, which is located near “Ansar” Security Complex in the west of Gaza City. The explosion caused partial damage to the fence and a neighboring fence. Police officers immediately rushed to the place and opened an investigation into the incident.

This is the second attack on the French Cultural Center in two months. On 07 October 2014, two explosive devices were detonated in the southeastern side of the aforementioned building. The attack resulted in extensive damage to the building and fire broke out as a fuel tank exploded. The security forces opened an investigation in the incident at that time, and the results of the investigation have not been announced so far.

PCHR condemns the attack and renews its demand to the PA to open a prompt investigation and bring the perpetrators before justice. PCHR further warns of returning to the state of security chaos.