Gaza Update 8
Jan. 1, 2009
Palestinian Media Watch:
p:+972 2 625 4140 e: pmw@pmw.org.il
f: +972 2 624 2803 w: www.pmw.org.il

Iranian reformist daily: Hamas hiding forces in nurseries and hospitals

An Iranian reformist daily newspaper has criticized Hamas "for risking lives
of civilians, amongst them children, by hiding its forces in nurseries and
hospitals." This is reported in today's Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam. The
Palestinian daily adds that in response the Iranian government has closed
the newspaper.

The following is the story in today's Al-Ayyam:

Headline: "Iran closes a reformist newspaper, for publishing a report
criticizing Hamas"

"The Iranian news agency "Irna" reported yesterday, that the Iranian Culture
Ministry has closed the reformist daily newspaper "Karjo Zaran", because it
published a report that included criticism of the Islamic Resistance
Movement (Hamas).

On December 30 the paper published a statement of a reformist student
organization, that has criticized Hamas for risking lives of civilians,
amongst them children, by hiding its forces in nurseries and hospitals. The
statement was published whilst the Iranian government expresses a unified
stands against Israel, and Tehran is overwhelmed by demonstrations against
Israel."

[Al-Ayyam, Jan. 1, 2009]