Christians threatened in Gaza

GAZA, June 27 (UPI) -- Muslim groups are reportedly threatening Gaza's small Christian community.

The danger to the 2,000 Christians in Gaza comes not from Hamas, but from more fanatic groups that want to enforce Muslim law on everyone there, Christian leaders told The Washington Times.

"They are small groups that are very militant and want to enforce Shariah law, and want the Christians to abide with it," the Rev. Hanna Massad, pastor of the Gaza Baptist Church, told the Times.

"Many Christians are nervous and don't know what to expect. I think many of them, if they have a chance to leave, they will leave," Massad said.

Labib Madanat, Jerusalem-based director of the Palestinian Bible Society, said Hamas has "never really targeted Christians."

"The problem is the people who work under their shadow. The general mood becomes fanatic and militant," he told the Times.