(KUNA) -- An envelope containing suspicious white powder was received at the Palestinian Ministerial Council Monday and sent a security officer to hospital in 'critical condition,' council employees told KUNA. The envelope was addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Naseredeen El-Shaer but appeared suspicious to security staff. Upon opening the envelope and inhaling the powder inside, five of the workers fainted and one is now in hospital in critical condition. A worker identified the victim as head of the security crew.
Palestinian security authority teams rushed to the scene and vacated the building and an investigation is already underway. Sappers are also combing the building in fear of explosive devices or other suspicious items somewhere inside. It was not apparent yet whether El-Shaer, who has been man-hunted by Israel since last June 25th, was in the building at the time of the incident. Security teams are banning the press and everybody else from entry to the building. |