GAZA CITY — The ruling Hamas movement has launched an offensive
against Western influences in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security sources said Islamic operatives linked to Hamas
have struck Internet cafes as well as stores that sell Western music. The
sources said owners of such businesses have been attacked or abducted, Middle East Newsline reported.
"It's a campaign," a PA security officer said. "There's no doubt about
this."
Over the last few months, Islamic fighters have torched Internet cafes
in several cities in the Gaza Strip. On March 2, Mohammed Shahin, the owner
of an Internet cafe in Khan Yunis, was abducted by unidentified gunmen.
On March 5, a music store in Khan Yunis was destroyed by a bomb. No
casualties were reported.
Hamas operatives have accused Internet cafes of being dens of
pornography. They said Palestinian young men spend hours downloading porn or
engaging in on-line chats with women.
PA security sources said some of the attacks in the Gaza Strip were the
work of Islamic zealots. The sources said some of the zealots were calling
themselves Al Qaida.