GAZA, Monday, January 07, 2019 (WAFA) – Fatah movement accused Hamas on Monday of detaining more than 1000 of its members in the Gaza Strip since the start of the month, 500 of them in the past 24 hours.
Fatah spokesman in Gaza, Atef Abu Seif, said in a statement that Fatah members were detained because they insisted on holding a rally marking the 54th anniversary for the launch of the Palestinian revolution and their movement.
He said many were detained at home and in the streets, adding that they were mistreated and tortured.
Hamas militias also seized material used to publicize the event for the launch, "but this will not stop Fatah from proceeding with plans to celebrate the launch," said Abu Seif.
The arrests were described as unprecedented.
Relations between the two movements deteriorated after efforts to achieve reconciliation between them seem to have faltered.
As a result of this, the Palestinian Authority decided to pull out as of Monday its employees at Rafah crossing with Egypt, which could leave an impact on Egypt‘s decision to keep the crossing, the main passage for Gaza‘s population to the outside world, open.
M.K.
