08/09/2005

Foreign Office warns against Gaza travel

The Foreign Office has warned Britons against travelling to the Gaza Strip, following the murder of Yassar Arafat’s cousin this week.

Mousa Arafat, a former Palestinian security chief, was shot dead after gunmen stormed into his home in Gaza City on Wednesday. His son, Manhal Arafat, was also kidnapped.

The Foreign Office warned against all travel to the Gaza Strip and Gaza City in the wake of the murder, amid concerns that the security situation in Gaza could “deteriorate further”.

The shooting follows a series of kidnappings of Westerners in Gaza, since July this year.

A British national was kidnapped on August 8, but was released later the same day, while on August 15, a French/Algerian journalist was also kidnapped, but released on August 22.

Four people died and at least 20 were injured in an explosion in Gaza City on September 5.

(KMcA/SP)

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