Seven people in the Palestinian prime minister's office in the West Bank fell ill on Monday after opening a letter containing an unknown substance, government and hospital officials said.
The envelope, postmarked Tel Aviv, was addressed to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, Deputy Prime Minister Naser al-Shaer told a news conference. Several people lost consciousness after the envelope, containing tissue paper, was opened, he said, according to Reuters.
"The prime minister has formed a committee to investigate and medical labs are checking the substance," Shaer said.
Hospital officials said seven people were admitted for treatment. "They said they inhaled gas after opening an envelope," said a doctor. "They have breathing difficulties and eye and nose irritation."
Shaer said letters addressed to Haniyeh are usually opened in the prime minister's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah before being forwarded to him in Gaza.
