The branch office of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Gaza was damaged during Israel’s attack on the territory on 31 July. Offices belonging to a number of NGOs were also affected by the latest Israeli raid, when the windows of a six-storey building occupied by civil and international institutions were shattered by a series of raids by Israeli aircraft; one man was killed and ten people were injured. The OIC office was used by its Department of Humanitarian Affairs; even though the damage was relatively slight the department’s work will be disrupted.
The Israeli attack has been condemned by a number of humanitarian and grassroots organisations as this disruption will have a negative impact on residents of the besieged Strip. In a statement, the organisations called for an end to “Israeli violations, especially those targeting areas close to humanitarian offices”. Such attacks present a particular challenge to relief and aid work in the area.
The OIC opened this field office in the wake of Israel’s assault and invasion of 2008/9, as part of the effort to rebuild Palestinian society. Many relief and development projects have been implemented in the short period since the office was opened.