Source: Union Tribune
Wire Service: AP
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070618-1310-gaza-churchdesecration.html
A school and convent belonging to the Gaza Strip's tiny Roman Catholic community were ransacked, burned and looted during clashes around a major security headquarters, the head of the community said Monday.
Crosses were broken, a statue of Jesus was damaged, and prayer books were burned at the Rosary Sisters School and nearby convent, said the Rev. Manuel Musallem, head of Gaza's Latin church.
The damage took place Thursday but wasn't reported until days later because of the chaos that has prevailed since Islamic Hamas militants wrested power in Gaza, Musallem said. The religious compound is located near a key security headquarters Hamas captured Thursday on the final day of its Gaza takeover.
Gunmen used the roof of the school during the fighting, and the convent was “desecrated,” Mussallem said.
“Nothing happens by mistake these days,” he said.
The doors of the convent were knocked open with mortars and furniture was damaged. Prayer books in the chapel were burned, crosses were broken, and a statue of Jesus was damaged.