Hamas Returns Stolen Sabrina to Gaza Zoo

Hamas police yesterday seized a lion that was stolen from a zoo almost two years ago by gunmen from one of Gaza's largest clans. Members of the executive force surrounded the home of Fares Hassanein and his family in a Gaza City suburb and after a brief gunfight the family gave up the lion, which had lost four teeth, its claws and part of its tail. It was returned to the zoo.

The Hassanein family live in a large compound which houses dozens of families and can call upon hundreds of gunmen in disputes. Sabrina was stolen when she was three months old. She and her brother, Saher had just been imported from Egypt. A group of gunmen overpowered the night watchmen and threw blankets over Sabrina. They attempted to take Saher, but he managed to scare them off.

The theft of the lions in November 2005 was symbolic of Gaza's descent into anarchy after the Israeli withdrawal that summer. Factions and gangs who had united against the Israelis turned on each other and acted as they pleased in the absence of a strong central authority.

Sabrina was last seen during a recent Muslim holiday at a Gaza photography studio, where her captors charged 50p for a picture with the lion.

"We will start a long, arduous treatment to ensure she can survive," said Gaza zoo's veterinarian, Soud al- Shawaa. "They should punish the criminals who did this to her."

Not to be outdone, the Israeli army said yesterday that its soldiers had rescued two golden eagles that were being held captive in the West Bank town of Hebron.