Christians say conditions in Gaza worsen for them, moderate Muslims

Published: 2008-02-19

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Living conditions for Christians and moderate Muslims are becoming increasingly difficult in the Gaza Strip, Christians told Catholic News Service. "First there was the murder of (Christian bookstore owner) Rami (Ayyad), now the YMCA (bombing). We can feel it step by step," said one young Christian, who like other Christians interviewed by CNS spoke on the condition of anonymity. No one has been apprehended after the October kidnapping and killing of Ayyad, a member of the Gaza Baptist Church. Only one of more than a dozen gunmen who overpowered the two YMCA guards and destroyed the building's library with a bomb Feb. 15 has been caught, sources in Gaza said Feb. 18. Thousands of books were lost in the explosion but the gunmen failed in their attempt to damage an adjoining wedding hall. The YMCA is open to both Christians and Muslims. In addition to the wedding hall and library, it includes a sports hall and school and runs a summer camp.

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