Sunday, January 1 2006 13:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gaza City: Armed and masked Palestinian militants took control of the United Nations club in Gaza City today (Jan 01, 2005) before detonating explosives inside the building, Palestinian security forces said.

No UN workers were believed to be inside the building when it was raided in the early hours but a security guard who was on duty was beaten by five men with Kalashnikovs before having his hands bound and ordered to leave the building, said the sources.

The gunmen then threw grenades into the building, the sound of the explosions waking residents living nearby.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which further highlighted the growing lawlessness in the territory.

The UN club, which overlooks the Mediterranean, is the only place, which serves alcohol in the territory.

While thousands of Palestinians are employed by the United Nations in Gaza, the number of international staff has been slashed in recent months as a result of the mounting security crisis.

A UN source told AFP that the club had not been open for New Year celebrations as only three international staff remain in the territory.

"All but three foreign staffers have left Gaza and they are under strict orders not to leave their base after nightfall", said the source.

The attack on the UN club came only a day after the end of the latest hostage drama in Gaza when a British rights worker and her parents were freed, more than 48 hours after being abducted in southern Gaza.