Hamas tightens restrictions on Gaza journalists following Fatah rally

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hamas on Tuesday announced tough new restrictions on journalists in the Gaza Strip, saying the measure was necessary after a mass rally by the rival Fatah movement ended in bloodshed earlier this week. In an edict published on its Web site, Hamas said journalists who do not hold an official press card from the Hamas-run Interior Ministry would not be allowed to work in Gaza. It said the move was necessary after Monday's rally by the rival Fatah movement, where Hamas gunmen opened fire on a large crowd and eight people were killed. "The government will not allow any reporter or photographer to work unless they get the press card," Hamas said. "This decision came after the rally of the Fatah movement in which dozens of cameramen and photographers were observed, not working for any media organization, but using these cameras for political parties and for personal reasons."