On April 21, suspected Hamas operatives bombed the American International School in Gaza City. The school was heavily damaged, but no injuries were reported in the attack that took place before classes were scheduled to begin.

"A large number of masked gunmen attacked the school at dawn," AIS director Rebhi Salem said. "They poured gasoline all around and detonated several explosive devices and destroyed some of the premises."

[On Monday, the Reuters news agency reported that PA Interior Minister Hani Al Qawasmeh resigned after a month on the job. The report, which came amid renewed attacks on PA security personnel, was not confirmed by the PA or other sources.]

The attackers were said to have identified themselves as members of Al Qaida. They overpowered and bound the guards, then planted bombs throughout the building. The guards were released before the bombs were detonated.

AIS is a private institution and part of the so-called American Schools in the Middle East. Although none of the teachers in the Gaza school is American, the curriculum stresses English as well as Arabic studies.

The Americans in the school administration fled the Gaza Strip in early 2006 amid the abduction of foreigners. The abductions were said to have been led by several major clans.

The anti-Western campaign was said to have continued on Sunday. Palestinian sources said suspected Al Qaida operatives sent messages to barber shops to close their stores and cigarette dealers to destroy their wares.