Hamas policemen in the Gaza Strip have, in the past 48 hours, broken up
demonstrations organized by young Palestinians who are demanding that the
Islamist movement and Fatah end their differences and form a unity
government.
Inspired by the current uprisings in a number of Arab
countries, the protests on Monday and Tuesday were organized through Facebook
members in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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Demonstrators said Tuesday that
as soon as they had gathered in Gaza City’s main square, Hamas policemen had
shown up and informed them that their demonstration was unlicensed.
“They
ordered us to leave or face arrest,” said one of the activists. “They threatened
to beat and arrest anyone who violates [the orders].”
Eyewitnesses said
that the policemen then used force to disperse the protesters, some of whom were
taken into custody.
According to a human rights organization in the Gaza
Strip, the policemen beat Ahmed Arar, one of the main organizers of the protest,
and arrested three others.
A number of photographers who were invited to
cover the event were forced to leave the area after being threatened by the
Hamas policemen, the eyewitnesses said.
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