Gaza Water Park Torched by Masked Arsonists

Forty unidentified gunmen stormed a Gaza Strip water park, dubbed “Crazy Water Park,” Sunday morning, setting it on fire.

The resort’s management stated that 40 masked vandals broke into the water park, smashing equipment, attacking security guards and lighting its restaurant and administrative buildings on fire.

The 2.5 acre aqua resort, already shuttered by Hamas, contains three swimming pools, several water slides, two mosques, wedding halls and multiple cafes.

It had been one of the most popular summer attractions in the coastal enclave.

The director of the park, Alladein al-Araj, released a statement saying that the arsonists also tied up the guards and assaulted them.

A three-story building containing wedding halls was also hit by the gunmen.

He blames Hamas for the attack because its attorney general ordered the resort to shut down for three weeks in September.

"I'm astonished that there are fanatical people acting to obstruct the development of tourism in the Gaza Strip," he said, adding that Gaza tourism operators held a meeting with Hamas officials only days earlier asking for assistance.

Since taking control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas has implemented a program of closing restaurants, cafes and hotels ostensibly for violating their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

An article from Palestine Press Agency reports that economic projects in Gaza that are owned by Hamas members and their associates are thriving. However, non-Hamas affiliated businesses have been closed for violating morals, with some being hit by arson.

The Crazy Water Park was also shut down for three days in August. Hamas accused the resort of holding “raucous concerts.”