Gaza's only leisure pool has been destroyed by unknown assailants.

The management of the Crazy Water Park says dozens of armed men stormed the pool in the early hours of the day, tied the guards and destroyed most of the complex. The management suspects the gunmen were Hamas militants.

The park, which opened just a few months ago, had since proved very popular with Gaza residents. But it angered radical Muslims because the park allows women to mix with men without wearing a head scarf. Women are also allowed to smoke a water pipe.

The complex had several swimming pools, slides, a lake with pedal boats, a café and a restaurant.

Others say the money used to build the pool in impoverished Gaza could have been used to address more urgent needs, such as building houses.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Crazy Water Park before it was destroyed: