WATCH: Palestinian Authority health minister pelted with eggs and stones in Gaza

Incident occurred shortly after Jawad Awwad and his aides crossed into Gaza to inspect hospitals and clinics in wake of Israeli operation.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Rafah border crossing Sinai Gaza370 (photo credit: Reuters)
Rafah border crossing Sinai Gaza370
(photo credit: Reuters)
Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip threw stones and eggs at an ambulance carrying visiting Palestinian Authority Health Minister Jawad Awwad on Tuesday.
The incident occurred shortly after Awwad and his senior aides entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.
The Palestinian government dispatched the West Bankbased minister to Gaza to inspect hospitals and clinics in the wake of the Israeli military operation against Hamas.
It is not clear why the minister decided to enter the Strip in an ambulance and not an ordinary vehicle.
Shortly after the minister entered the enclave, several Palestinians hurled stones and eggs at the ambulance.
No one was hurt in the attack.
Awwad later left the area and headed back to the West Bank.
Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk condemned the assault on the health minister as “inappropriate.”
He said that Awwad is the health minister in the “national consensus” government and had entered the Gaza Strip during the “unjust war on our people.”
Abu Marzouk said that he was surprised by the “immoral and irresponsible” attack on Awwad and his aides and called for holding those responsible accountable.
The PA accused Hamas “elements” of being behind the attack on the health minister.
No group claimed responsibility for the assault.