Palestinian protesters stormed the main UN compound in Gaza City yesterday during a demonstration against Israel's bombing of southern Lebanon that killed around 60 civilians.
Hundreds of members of Islamic Jihad, some throwing stones and others firing assault rifles, attacked the compound at the end of a rally, witnesses said. At least five people were wounded, police said.
UN staff were inside the compound at the time but managed to escape after UN guards let off tear gas canisters.
A UN official said the compound, which includes scores of buildings, was ransacked and eight vehicles damaged.
Members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's special guard arrived shortly after the assault began and managed to disperse the crowd by firing into the air.
Witnesses in Gaza said extensive damage had been caused to the UN compound, from where the world body directs its relief and aid operations for the Gaza Strip's 1.4 million people.
The attack came hours after thousands of Lebanese demonstrators attacked the UN headquarters in Beirut, smashing windows and ransacking offices.