Geneva, 15 February :The YMCA Gaza has been victim of a bomb attack, committed by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of 15 February. Unarmed guards were taken outside after which the YMCA library was totally destroyed by the bomb blast. Amazingly, no-one was hurt.

« The YMCAs in the Middle East have always promoted peace in the region and are working to serve all peoples regardless of religion . The World Alliance of YMCAs strongly condemns this indiscriminate act of violence on civil society and calls for renewed efforts from all peoples for peace in the region » says Dr. Bart Shaha, Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs.

General Secretary of Gaza YMCA, Isa Saba, sees the attack as part of the ongoing insecurity in the region. « Unfortunately, we are not the first civil society organisation to be attacked; I hope we will be the last » he says.

Saba is keen to stress that the YMCA is an organisation open to all peoples ; « We are Arab Palestinians with one history, one language, one common culture. People love this place.»

The attack has been condemned by the Palestinian President . Since the attack happened, there has been a steady flow of people coming to the YMCA to express their sorrow and the next two days have been set aside as days of solidarity.

The YMCA Gaza has been serving the local community for more than 55 years. Its programmes include work with children in refugee camps, providing meeting spaces for the local community, sports and welfare programmes and a kindergarten.